Word to the Wise
Monday, May 6, 2024 - 6th Week of Easter - Mon
[Acts 16:11-15 and John 15:26-16:4a]"When the Advocate comes whom I will sne you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning. I have told you this so that you may not fall away. They will expel you from the synagogues; in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God." [John]
Although the evangelist John has Jesus speaking about the future at the Last Supper, he was also talking about what was going on at the time of the composition of the gospel. Christians were being expelled from synagogues and martyred (i.e. St. Stephen). Missionaries will need the courage to be given by the Holy Spirit because their fellow Jews and the Roman authorities would both persecute them and think that the persecution is doing God a favor! Ironically (and tragically) Christians later on would be guilty of the same thing - i.e. the crusades and conquistadors and inquisition.
Faith is not helped by violence, whether it be physical or mental. Atheists throughout the centuries have given religious violence as one of their primary reasons for not believing in God. The current conflict in the Middle East has its roots in religious faith. Jesus predicted that faith would be the cause of family division and sometimes lethal consequences.
Christian faith is more genuinely shared when it is done in peace and love. There will be opposition and resistance, but Jesus explicitly teaches us to love our enemies and to do good to those who persecute us! [Matt. 5:38-48]. There will always be the chorus of "What if's!" In the end, faith survives because the commandment to love one another holds sway. AMEN