One of the realities of Christian discipleship is the experience of suffering and persecution. Why? Because the disciples cannot be greater than their master:

“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first” (v 18). But there is deeper reason according to Jesus: the disciples do not belong to the world, that is, they are not identified to the “fleshly principles” of ambition, power, and vain pleasures of life. Their identity is rooted in their union with the ways of God, the way of light, grace, and truth (3:19-21).

Oftentimes, we need to review our values and see whether we are giving in to the temptation of seeking the praise and esteem of the world in exchange for the values of truth and justice. We need to reinforce the conviction that Jesus himself has “chosen us out of the world” and will therefore give us the strength to overcome every temptation.

Paul reached also Derbe and Lystra 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 Psalm • Ps 100

“Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.” or “Alleluia.”

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.”