Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to John 15, 18-21
Jesus said to his disciples:
“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.
If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own;
but because you do not belong to the world,
and I have chosen you out of the world,
the world hates you.
Remember the word I spoke to you,
‘No slave is greater than his master.’
If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.
If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
And they will do all these things to you on account of my name,
because they do not know the one who sent me.”
They do not know
1. The world. The world keeps spinning and even tries to make us believe it cares about us—but it doesn’t. We often stress over what people might say or how they perceive us, but today’s gossip quickly fades and is soon forgotten. Most people are wrapped up in their own lives and usually only act out of idle curiosity. As Machiavelli observed, if someone chooses to do something cruel or harsh, it’s best done fast and all at once because people tend to forget quickly. Therefore, strive to live genuinely and don’t let public opinion dictate your actions.
2. Chosen out of the world. What the world thinks or does shouldn’t be our main concern. What truly matters is whether we are living according to God’s will. The world is unpredictable and ever-changing, but faith provides a steady foundation. Remember, God has called you to follow Him, and He personally invites you to experience His presence.
3. They don’t know Him. You can’t truly love what you don’t know. Even after two millennia, many still haven’t come to know Jesus—sometimes even those within the Church. This happens when we reduce Him to just rules or only present a version of Christ based on following a checklist instead of encouraging a real relationship. Take time today to look inward and encounter Christ, so you can experience Him alive and active in your own life.
Remember that something good is on the way!
God bless you and be with you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
