The WORD
today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/052017.cfm)
reminds me that the world will hate me for being Christ's
follower.
We know that the ruler of this world
is satan. He has his ways in the world. And today, we are reminded by Jesus in
the gospel that all his followers will be hated by the world.
The
world loves its own, and since we are followers of Christ who is not of the
world, the world will hate us. This is something that we should remember – as
we face injustices and challenges of the world. We see evil people prospering,
we see good people suffering, and now we are reminded why. The world is Satan’s
and he gives worldly favor to those on his side, not Jesus’.
Challenges and
sufferings are expected to those who follow Christ.
A friend once told me that if you don’t experience sufferings and challenges in the
world, you should examine if you are really of Christ. As believers, we
do not want challenges and oppression. We do not seek it. But we should expect
it and be strong about it. Jesus, our master, experienced these things, and it
is our privilege to experience the same things he did – as long as we do so
because of the right reasons. No slave is greater
than his master.
In the bible, Peter said that
it is better to suffer for doing good, if it be the will of God, than to suffer
doing evil. Not all suffering is due to being followers of God. Some people
suffer because of their own decisions and mistakes, and it does not mean
they’re suffering because of God. This should remind us to check the reasons
for our sufferings.
May we remember to hold on to
God’s word and promises as we experience suffering and challenges in this world.
Father God,
Thank you for
today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another weekend. Thank
you for the exhortation. Lord, sorry for the times I lose my focus. Sorry for
being disheartened when faced with challenges. I ask that you help me focus on
you. Help me hang on to your promises as I experience challenges and suffering
in this world. may I always be faithful to you and have joy as I experience the
same things you experienced in this world. Amen.
Blessed
weekend!
In
Christ,
-g-
May 20, 2017
Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Lectionary: 290
Reading 1ACTS 16:1-10
where there was a disciple named Timothy,
the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer,
but his father was a Greek.
The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke highly of him,
and Paul wanted him to come along with him.
On account of the Jews of that region, Paul had him circumcised,
for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
As they traveled from city to city,
they handed on to the people for observance the decisions
reached by the Apostles and presbyters in Jerusalem.
Day after day the churches grew stronger in faith
and increased in number.
They traveled through the Phrygian and Galatian territory
because they had been prevented by the Holy Spirit
from preaching the message in the province of Asia.
When they came to Mysia, they tried to go on into Bithynia,
but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them,
so they crossed through Mysia and came down to Troas.
During the night Paul had a vision.
A Macedonian stood before him and implored him with these words,
"Come over to Macedonia and help us."
When he had seen the vision,
we sought passage to Macedonia at once,
concluding that God had called us to proclaim the Good News to them.
Responsorial PsalmPS 100:1B-2, 3, 5
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is good:
his kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
AlleluiaCOL 3:1
If then you were raised with Christ,
seek what is above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelJN 15:18-21
"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."
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