Gospel: May 24, 2025

May 24, 2025 (Saturday)

5th Week of Easter

Psalter: Week 1 / (White)

Ps 100:1b-2, 3, 5

Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

1st Reading: Acts 16:1-10

Gospel: John 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.

See Also

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Reflection:

“The world hated me before you.”

“I have chosen you from the world.” To respond favorably to Christ’s choice means that we belong to him (cf. Ps 100:3). Saint Ignatius of Loyola describes this belonging of discipleship in military terms as following the standard or banner of Christ. He proposes that we meditate on the two standards, that of Christ and of the devil, asking us to reflect on how much we are willing to embrace poverty, rejection and humility or whether we are driven by riches, honor and swollen pride. Following Christ’s standard leads us to salvation, but it also involves rejection for us his disciples, just as it did our Lord and Master. Here St. Ignatius is simply reflecting Christ’s own words: “The servant is not greater than his master… If the world hates you, remember that the world hated me before you.” Are we sufficiently free from worldly cares and ambition to accept occasions of rejection as part of our mission as disciples of Christ? Fear of rejection or the desire to fit in can become so important that we avoid speaking about our faith. St. Ignatius would have us shake off that fear and renew our commitment to follow Christ.