5th Week in Easter Time, Saturday – 8th May 2021 — Gospel: Jn 15,18-21
Hatred of the World
This section focuses on the world’s hatred towards Jesus and his disciples. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, he himself bore the brunt of the world’s persecution. But when he is removed from the world, the world’s hatred will inevitably turn towards his disciples. The type of relationship that Jesus has with his Father and that the disciples have with Jesus is not viewed favourably by those who trust only in power, control and coercion. In fact, “the world” of these servants of power will hate the friends of Jesus who “do not belong to the world”. The way of the world, which says that domination and control are the way to happiness, is directly opposed to the way of loving service done in freedom. Because Jesus has chosen them out of the world and closely identified them with himself, people’s response towards the disciples will mirror their response “of the world”.
