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Gospel Reflection – Saturday, May 24, 2025
Love and hatred
Dear friends,
It might seem strange to end a week focused on love with a warning about hatred. But that’s exactly what Jesus gives us today. He tells us that it’s very possible—even likely—that the world will respond to God’s love with hate.
This is a call to stay calm, not to answer hatred with more hatred, but to persevere in love.
We might ask: how is it possible that Christian love could lead to rejection or hatred? The truth is, love is extremely demanding—even more than rules or laws. It’s not about following certain actions; it requires a total gift of the heart, a deep commitment that often involves sacrifice and suffering.
But the world—as the Gospel of John says, that “old world lying under the power of the evil one” (cf. 1 John 5:20)—prefers to live for itself. It clings to small comforts, to selfishness, to convenience. It offers a little bit of love—just enough to survive—but it breaks easily and often.
This world doesn’t want to hear the call to give everything, to live exposed and vulnerable like Jesus on the cross. That’s why Jesus says: “The world has hated me.” And when we try to live like He lived (cf. 1 John 2:6), we also experience rejection.
Jesus’ warning makes sense—because that old world isn’t just around us; it’s also inside us. And we can be tempted to react like the world does: with anger, with defensiveness, with hatred of our own. But if we give in to that, we lose our Christian identity.
To avoid that temptation, we must remain in Jesus, live in His name, and know the One who sent Him.
This is essential, because even though the world may seem to hate Christ, deep down, it actually longs for Him. It needs Him. The world is calling out—to Him and to us, His followers—to bring the message of salvation.
Being strong in love, even when facing hate, is what makes us ready for our mission. It’s how Christ continues to be present in us.
Warm regards,