John 15:18-21 NRSVue

¹⁸“If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. ¹⁹If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. ²⁰Remember the word that I said to you, ‘Slaves are not greater than their master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. ²¹But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.

“Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.”

Some thoughts on this scripture

Reflection
This talk about hatred is distasteful stuff, Lord, politically incorrect. But I have to admit that it rings true. It happens that good Christians are slandered and hated, for whatever reason. Then I need to remember how you were hated and kept your peace, and did not let your heart flame up in resentment.

Reflection
Jesus wants our faith and our presence with him. The coming of the Trinity among us arises from the desire of God to invite us into belonging with them, and to know the mystery of God from the inside. We can say ‘yes' or ‘no' to that invitation. Our time of prayer is one way of saying ‘yes', and of opening ourselves to the divine energy in the world and inside each of us.

Reflection
Not everyone accepts Jesus, which was his experience from the start. Opposition to him took him to death, and love took him from death to resurrection. Persecution and similar opposition is the experience of many of his followers. Goodness sometimes offends people; evil can seem for a while to be stronger than love, but the message of Jesus is that love conquers all.

Reflection
I bring any aspect of my life in which I feel rejected or unappreciated before the Lord, considering whether myt treatment was because of my being a disciple. I stand beside Jesus who knows how I feel.

Reflection
Having the last word and winning the argument do not appear to be temptations. I listen to Jesus and consider his words. I realise that he accepted that not everyone would follow in his way. I pray for the humility that I need.

Reflection
Jesus recognised that not all of his words were kept; he did not try to indoctrinate, coerce or to force his word. I ask God to strengthen my faith, that I may do what I can and accept that it may be the choice of others whether to heed or not.