Church and World

Today’s Gospel Text:   "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all this they will do to you on my account, because they do not know him who sent me. John 15:18-21

Reflection: At one time, in the golden years of the church, there was a clear divide between the world and the church

I suppose that this divide still exists, at least as far as the mandate of Christ and the official teaching of the church is concerned.

Now, can we safely assume: Instead of us influencing the world, the world has managed to influence us?

If that is the case then it would be a terrible reality; the world will cease to become the instrument of Salvation in the way Christ wanted it to be.

It could still be an instrument of salvation in the way the devil is one.  He is an instrument of the greater rewards of our salvation if we seek to abide in Christ and his love.

He, the devil, persecutes the saints and has men and women at his beck and call to do so.

Thus the church can become so worldly that it can be an instrument to persecute its own, especially those who seek to be faithful to Christ and the gospel.

Hence when Jesus talks about the world hating us he also means those within the church who are worldly and their worldliness is manifested by all forms of hate against the sound doctrine of Christ and against the followers of Christ Jesus.

This hate is manifested in subtle forms of persecution and, at times, overtly carried out through slander, gossip and the covert persecution that follows.

Prayer: But thou, O God, wilt cast them down into the lowest pit; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in thee. Ps 55:23

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What Forgiveness

Today’s Gospel Text:  Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.

23 "Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; 25 and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' 27 And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, 'Pay what you owe.' 29 So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' 30 He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32 Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; 33 and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' 34 And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart." Matt 18:21-35

Reflection: Living in a community is not an easy task, we often have to rub shoulders with those who are less sensitive or over sensitive about smaller matters and are hurt about many things that relate to day to day living.

The smaller matters of injustices and wrong that take place daily may be easily handled with the grace of the Lord and a generous heart.

But what happens to a repetitive hurting process which many a times seems deliberately intended? 

This is where arises the difficulty, because our patience is tested and so too our faith in God.

There is always room made for justification for holding on to the many hurts and bitter moments of life. We could lose out on the greater work that the Lord could be doing or wanting to do in and through us as his instrument.

By holding on to hurt, bitterness and unforgiveness we could miss out on the Lord’s plan to use us as his instrument of salvation and to bring glory to his name.

The onus to seek forgiveness from the ones whom we have harmed, within the community, is to act brotherly and to forgive is to act like a brother who cares.

How can we not forgive a fellow Christian, more so when they have asked for forgiveness or is already repentant of what they have done?

In the parable Jesus brings out the truth of the fellow servant who begs and pleads for mercy and despite all his pleadings for mercy and forgiveness he is not forgiven. 

Petty attitude, self-centered behavior, short sightedness are all fruit of a sin that doesn’t allow the divine grace to work in ourselves but rather allows our own passions to play the dominant role.

Prayer:  Strengthen and teach us to forgive Lord as you forgave your enemy.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us