REFLECTIONS TODAY
In the Gospel of John, the idea of “knowing” is closely linked to the idea of “believing.” One believes when one knows. This is the reason why in John, Jesus always appears as the one who reveals the Father. He reveals the Father so that people may grow in their faith in God. Those who accept his revelation about the Father become his true disciples.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples that they will be hated by those who have neither the knowledge of him nor of the Father. These unbelieving people will also persecute his followers because these give witness to God. In bearing witness to Jesus they counteract the death-dealing culture. His disciples are to keep his words, which are words of life (Jn 6:63).
Are we growing in our knowledge of God? Do we keep Jesus’ words by promoting life? Are we ready to be persecuted for the sake of Jesus?
GOSPEL • JOHN 15:18-21
Jesus said to his disciples: 18“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. 19If 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. 20Remember 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. 21And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me.”
SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2021,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.