“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first” (John 15:18).
I like to be liked. More to it, I know how to be liked. Agree, flatter, charm, rinse and repeat. But that’s not the Gospel – Jesus is prepping us to be hated.
Eek. Not a fan.
This Gospel begs the question: Why would we risk being hated?! We risk hatred of the world for a peace of heart that surpasses all understanding.
Ironic. Nice one, Lord.
But it’s true. Jesus always asks us to give up something lesser so He can give us something greater. In this case, the praise and approval of others is lesser than living harmoniously in His will.
So dare the chance of worldly hatred. Because, for heaven’s sake, you are so loved.
“Si el mundo los odia, sepan que me ha odiado a mí antes que a ustedes” (Juan 15,18).
Me gusta caer bien. Es más, sé cómo caer bien. Estar de acuerdo, halagar, encantar, y repetir el proceso. Pero ese no es el Evangelio: Jesús nos prepara para ser odiados.
¡Uf! No soy hincha de esa idea.
Este Evangelio nos lleva a preguntarnos: ¿Por qué arriesgarnos a ser odiados? Nos arriesgamos al odio del mundo por una paz interior que sobrepasa todo entendimiento.
Irónico. Bien hecho, Señor.
Pero es cierto. Jesús siempre nos pide que renunciemos a algo menor para darnos algo mayor. En este caso, el elogio y la aprobación de los demás son menos importantes que vivir en armonía con su voluntad.
Así que atrévete a correr el riesgo del odio del mundo. Porque, por el amor de Dios, eres inmensamente amado.
Matthew is a student at the Catholic Psych Institute to one day provide Mentorship – a daily service that integrates and aligns the best of the Psychological sciences with Catholic Anthropology and Spirituality. To learn more about Mentorship or read more from Matthew, join his newsletter (coming soon).
Feature Image Credit: Drew Walker, unsplash.com/photos/you-are-loved-written-on-the-side-of-a-wall-ovCPZ_r3HuQ
The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.
Daily Reading
Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Reading 1 Acts 16:1-10 Paul reached also Derbe and Lystrawhere there was a disciple named Timothy,the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer,but his father was a Greek.The…
Saint of the Day
Saint Pachomius
Pioneering Egyptian monk, St. Pachomius (c. 292–346), initiated communal monasticism, influencing St. Basil and St. Benedict’s renowned rules. The post Saint Pachomius appeared first on uCatholic.