Word to the Wise
Saturday, May 4, 2024 - 5th Week of Easter - Sat
[Acts 16:1-10 and John 15:18-21]"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......." [John]
Until the conversion of Constantine and the "Edict of Milan" in the 4th century A.D., Christianity was illegal in the Roman empire because Christians worshiped only one God and the Romans were polytheistic. Furthermore, the Romans regarded the emperor as divine and worshiped him as well. Christians refused to do that and also refused to serve in the military because of it. In addition, Christians faced persecution from Jewish authorities who expelled them from synagogues. The latter action is the reason for the resentment that is clear in the Gospel According to John against "the Jews." This combination of civil and religious persecution is included in the word WORLD in Jesus words in today's gospel. But, in general, it meant anyone one who did not believe in Jesus.
For centuries right up to the time of the Second Vatican Council, the Church has generally seen itself as beleaguered and in an uneasy relationship with "the world." The council fathers turned aside from that attitude, sent a "Message to the Word" at the beginning of the council and later composed the "Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World" [Gaudium et Spes]. Nevertheless, the church still finds itself in opposition to much that the "secular world" proclaims. This is particularly true in regard to civil policies that promote abortion, persecution of migrants, and other policies that violate human dignity. But, instead of standing apart and frowning, the attitude of the church now is to reach out and invite the "world" to conversion while standing firm on principle. Pope Francis' encyclical Fratelli tutti ["We are all brothers and sisters"] and the recent document, Dignitas infinita [Infinite dignity] are examples.
Jesus warned the disciples at the Last Supper in today's gospel scripture to expect opposition and persecution. That warning is as true today as it was that fateful evening. The church is IN the world and not OF the world, but standing in distant judgment will not be an effective way of proclaiming the gospel. AMEN
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