A servant is not greater than his master

A reflection on John 15: 18-21 for Saturday, May 24, 2025

“A servant is not greater than his master… if they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” Some sobering words today in our Gospel, and a reminder of some of the challenges that are just part of being Christian in this world… living in the world, but not being of the world.

A reminder that because of our faith, there will be times when others look down on us, reject us, or think less of us because we follow Jesus. Our lives will not be lives empty of misunderstandings, suffering, and prejudice.

But what, exactly, are we supposed to do with this warning? Is Jesus telling us this so that we can simply brace ourselves and power through and put our defenses up when the hatred comes our way? No, of course not.

The placement of our passage today in John’s Gospel, I think, points us to a better understanding. Because before all this talk about how the world will hate us and reject us… before all this talk about being persecuted because of our faith…

Jesus, right above this passage, talks about love: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Remain in my love… I have told you this so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete… love one another as I have loved you.” +++

As Christians, as believers, as followers of Jesus. We are invited to face persecution and hatred and misunderstandings in the same way Jesus did… with love. And furthermore, we can be strengthened in these situations with the reminder of God’s constant, unfailing, unabandoning love…for us.

“Remain in my love”... because my love never leaves you.

Yes, persecutions will come. People will look down on you, think less of you, and reject you because you are Catholic. But God’s love is worth so much more than any suffering or hardship. To be close to Jesus is more precious than any prejudice.

In times of hardship, let’s cling to the love of God, and find in it a deeper and more real sense of peace and joy—Christ’s joy within us, that makes us complete.