Holy Priest-Martyr Babylas, Bishop of Antioch (250); Holy Prophet Moses Who Saw God
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2 Corinthians 9:12-10:7; Mark 3:20-27
Today’s Gospel reading immediately brings to mind Jesus’ words in John 15:20: “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.” If we wonder why the world seems to hate and slander the Church we are reminded today how much the Lord was hated during His earthly ministry. The authorities, and those who stood with them, falsely accused Jesus with blasphemous accusations of being ‘out of His mind’ and collaborating with the devil. The one who is the giver of every good and has come to extend eternal life to each human being is slandered as evil? If this is how they treated Jesus then we who not only bear His name as Christians but also are called to be filled with His mystical presence in our lives, cannot be surprised if we face some form of resistance from the world. We have to be careful that our sins are not the cause of scandal and accusation flung against the Church. If we suffer for Christ’s sake then we are allowing the Kingdom to shine, but if because of our sin the world is scandalized then instead of collaborating with Christ we are working against Him.