Daily Gospel Reflection
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May 16, 2020
Jesus said to his disciples: “If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you.
“Remember the word that I said to you, ‘Servants are not greater than their master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.”
If you knew your time on this Earth would end very soon, what would you want to convey to those you love? This is the context of Jesus’ words in today’s passage from the Gospel of John. Chapters 15-17 of John’s Gospel are Jesus’ “farewell discourse” to his disciples; Jesus arms his disciples with lessons to keep with them after he is no longer with them. Then, in Chapter 18, Jesus is handed over to the chief priests and the Pharisees.
“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first … If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” With these words, Jesus is encouraging his disciples to persevere in faith, even in the face of oppression. He wants to make sure that they don’t decide to take the easier path, to fall back into the ways of the world after his death.
I have often felt the pressure to arm my kids with advice that will hopefully be recalled in a time of need. When they were teenagers, asking for the car keys to meet up with friends, I’d rattle off a list of dos and don’ts. But, over time, I think that each of my kids got the main message: my parents love me and expect me to do the right thing.
Obviously, my words were never as profound as Jesus’. Throughout history, Jesus’ words have inspired Christians to defend their faith to the point of martyrdom. They have given resolve to those facing life’s toughest moments and have inspired his followers to live Christian lives despite worldly consequences. Even in the face of adversity, in spite of modern Pharisees and the distractions of our own desires, Jesus’ words inspire faithfulness.
Prayer
Dear Lord, give us wisdom when we are filled with questions. Grant us a grateful heart when we feel discouraged. Open our eyes to the opportunities that await us. Steady our pace so that we can see you in the people and challenges that will come our way today. Let us be pure of spirit so your glory may guide our thinking and acting. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Brendan is one of the great saints of Ireland. He is most famous for being the main character in the fantastic Irish sea-tale, the Navigatio, which tells of Brendan and 60 followers embarking on a voyage to find the "Isle of the Blessed"—the Garden of Eden, or paradise.
Brendan certainly was a real person, and it is possible that he even travelled with some followers to spread the good news. He was born in Tralee on the west coast of Ireland and was educated and befriended by several of the other saints of Ireland. He was ordained a priest and shortly afterwards gathered some followers and established a common life with them in a monastery.
The monastery he founded in Clonfert in 559 grew to include some 3,000 monks. It is said that an angel dictated to him the rule that guided that community.
It is possible that his travels took him to some of the British Isles. His Navigatio suggests that he even reached the Canary Islands, the Spanish archipelago off the coast of northwestern Africa.
A stained glass window dedicated to him colors the chapel in Dillon Hall—it depicts three yellow birds from the Canary Islands.
As we follow God on our journey of discipleship, let us ask Brendan for his boldness in following God beyond the borders of our own maps for our lives.
St. Brendan the Navigator, your faith led you to great adventures at the ends of the known world—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Brendan the Navigator is used with permission from Catholic Online. Last accessed March 11, 2025.