Jn 15:18–21
If the world hates you, remember that the world hated me before you. This would not be so if you belonged to the world, because the world loves its own. But you are not of the world, since I have chosen you from the world; because of this the world hates you.
Remember what I told you: the servant is not greater than his master; if they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will keep yours as well. All this they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know the One who sent me.
REFLECTION
Shakespeare contrasted love-hate in many of his plays. It’s apparent in Romeo and Juliet and their hateful families, in Othello’s love for his wife and hate of others. Overall, Shakespeare played on the antonymous poles of love and hate, with the latter overshadowing the former.
“How much I must criticize you, my church, and yet how much I love you … I should like to see you destroyed and yet I need your presence. You have given me much scandal and yet you alone have made me understand holiness … No, I cannot be free of you, for I am one with you, even if not completely you … And again, if I were to build another church, it would be my church, not Christ’s church.” (Ode to Church, Carlo Carretto)
How many times have we walked on cloud nine, when the sun shines? How many times did we blame God when we suffer? If things don’t go right in the church, its leaders and members, why get discouraged? Why not say, “There, but for the grace of God, so go I.” We vacillate between love and hate (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde), still God loves us!
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