Fifth Saturday of Easter

“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.”

Too often we try to be liked and loved by everyone, but that’s not why we are here on earth. We are here to do God’s Will and to know, love, and serve Him and his children with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths. Sometimes this requires us to say something someone might not want to hear or do something others might not understand. We have to be willing to accept persecution both great and small.

If we do not belong to the world, then why do we give the world so much of our time and energy? How can we remind ourselves that we are here to serve God and not the world? Are we willing to be hated in order to do the right thing?

O Lord, we belong to you. Your love is all that matters.

Amen.