Memorial of Saint Andrew Dŭng-Ląc, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs
As a people pleaser by nature, I am always trying to make sure that everyone is happy and has their needs met. I will often go out of my way to avoid offending someone or arguing with them, in order to keep the peace and stay in someone’s good regard. For me, today’s Gospel felt very uncomfortable. In Luke’s gospel, we hear “You will be hated by all because of my name”. I will admit this line makes me cringe. I do not often choose something that will anger others or cause them to hate me. I love God, but do I love God enough to be hated? If me believing in God and in Jesus meant that I would be hated, persecuted, killed, would I be strong enough to publicly say that I believe? Or, like the King in our first reading, would I be told that I have made other things – in this case pride and comfort – my God?
I would like to think that if I were forced to choose between love of God and self-preservation I would choose love of God, but this is a hard decision to make. I do not know if my faith is strong enough. I love the prayer, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” This is my constant prayer.
Thankfully the Gospel of Luke does not end here. Immediately after we are told that we will be hated, we read, “but not a hair on your head will be destroyed”. This takes tremendous faith to think that we will be hated but not harmed. But maybe, to understand this message we need to stop and redefine our priorities. Yes, life is precious, but if our goal and destination are heaven, not the love of others, then we need not worry about who, here on this earth, hates us, especially if they hate us for doing the Lord’s will – loving others, giving generously, serving God. We may be hated on this earth, but we will be rewarded in heaven.
In a recent faith sharing group I am a part of we talked about the early church and the great sense of urgency that accompanies belonging to a persecuted church. Knowing of the great danger associated with believing must have caused church members to discern whether they truly believed in Jesus and in his mission. There is a certain zeal that can come from being in the persecuted margins. It’s easy to become complacent and go through the motions when our faith is accepted and popular. While I do not wish to become persecuted, I think we could benefit from a revival of this same passion in our churches today!
Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief. Help me to choose you, even it will mean that I am hated by all because of your name. Amen.
AJ Grimm