John Desing csc –
Readings: Acts 16:1-10; Jn 15: 18-21
Jesus teaches us to love one another as he summarized the commandments in just two words: love of God and that of the neighbour. However, in today’s gospel Jesus reminds us that in our attempt to live like Jesus, we need to be prepared for any inevitable consequences and setbacks.
We have witnessed the hard life of Jesus who was unjustly condemned to death because people misunderstood his identity and misinterpreted his word and deeds. We are called to bear witness to the truth and challenge those who exploit and abuse the weak and the downtrodden for money, fame, and prestige.
Unfortunately, sometimes we who are loved to be called Christians lead a worldly and immoral life by siding with the rich and the elite. We do it because often we are so scared to lose a friend or a colleague if we challenge them. We find ourselves in a dilemma to choose Christ or the world.
Jesus clearly says that if you belong to the world, the world would love you. The early Christians were persecuted, hated, and even killed for speaking in the name of Jesus. This legacy is being passed on to all of us, in which if we are condemned, rejected, or persecuted, because we belong to Christ. Let us examine how often we have compromised the Christian values of truth, love, charity, and justice for the sake of pleasure, name, and security. Let us ask God to give us courage to stand for what we believe, come what may.