To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Commentary of the Gospell
Do not conform to the world
“If the world hates you, realise that it hated me first” (v. 18). In his prayer for the disciples at the Last Supper, he asks the Father not to take them out of the world but to defend them from the spirit of the world (John 17: 15) or “worldliness.” What is this worldliness capable of hating and destroying Jesus and his disciples and of corrupting the Church?
Worldliness is a culture of momentary happiness based on appearance, makeup, and inconsistency. Its values are shallow and superficial. It is a culture that knows no fidelity because it changes according to circumstances; everything is negotiable. This is the culture of worldliness. Jesus insists on defending us from this and prays that the Father will defend us from this culture of worldliness, which is a throw-away culture focused on convenience. It’s a way of life for many who say they are Christians but are still worldly without roots or fidelity.
As we know, Christ’s message is not always comfortable; it always speaks of the cross. Let us not run away from the cross, but remain lambs forever because then we will have a shepherd to defend us.
Let us ask the Holy Spirit in these days of the Easter season for the grace to discern what is worldliness and what is the Gospel and not be deceived. The world hated Jesus, and now it hates us, and Jesus prayed that the Father would defend us from the spirit of the world.