The Holy Cyril (869) and Methodius (885), Teachers of the Slavs and Equals-to-the-Apostles and the Dedication of the City of Constantinople (330); the Holy Priest-Martyr Mocius (284-305); Passing into Eternal Life of Blessed Vasyl (Basil) Hopko, Auxiliary Bishop of Presvov (+1976)
Rank: Polyeleos
Read
Acts 9:20-31; Hebrews 7:26-8:2
John 15:17-16:2; John 10:9-16
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!
We ought not to be surprised that the world hates Jesus and those who follow him (by the “world” we mean those who are influenced and submit to the “ruler of this world”). He told us that the world hated Him before it hated us. Our Lord states that “They hated me without a cause.” This is a quote found in a number of Psalms in which King David reflects on his struggle with the godless, the wicked, and the deceitful. Jesus also says: “Whoever hates me hates my Father also.” This is not some sort of lament. Rather, it confronts the world with the Truth of Who He is—the Messiah promised by the Father—and provides an opportunity for change in their lives, and to whom they will submit, as each of us, and all of us can only serve one master.
In our submission to Christ and His Church, we are led to confess Jesus Christ to many in our day-to-day life. By doing so, we serve our Master well. By our witness, and perhaps even martyrdom, many can be converted to our Lord and His Truth. In this, we mustn’t be afraid.
mw