Breaking the Word

5^th week in Easter Time, Saturday – 21^st May 2022 — Gospel: Jn 15,18-21

Blessed are the Persecuted

The disciples must realize that following and obeying Jesus, as servants obey their masters, will lead to persecution. Because what has happened with Jesus will be repeated in the disciples’ lives. If the disciples want the world to love them, they must give up the teachings of Jesus. Those who do not accept the word of truth, spoken by Jesus, will indulge in persecution. Those who accept the word will respond by living out that word in their lives. Rejection of the disciples means rejection of Jesus because it is Jesus who sends them. We can remember that Jesus said being persecuted is a blessing: “Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus, they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Mt 5,10-12). When we experience the hatred of the world, we can remember that we are in the good company of Jesus, the prophets before him, and his saints after him.

5^th week in Easter Time, Friday – 20^th May 2022 — Gospel: Jn 15,12-17

Friendship Creates Perpetuity

Jesus makes a clear distinction of relationship between the servant with respect to their master and the relationship among friends. Relationship of servant and master is based on obligation and earned privileges, while the relationship of friends is rooted in freedom and generosity. In transient relationship of earned privileges the servant doesn’t know what his master is doing; it is only an unconscious servitude. Friendship creates perpetuity, consciousness and reciprocal understanding in relationship. This difference could be explained between Moses and Aaron characters. In Aaron it was attention to the ministry at the altar, in Moses it was jealousy for the Divine law. In Aaron it was a regard for reverential barricades of service, in Moses it was spiritual oneness in truth and purity. Jesus upholds a relationship that is conscious, seclusive and everlasting that makes everything available for the mutual up building.