“In fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you
will think he is offering worship to God.”

john 16:2

John 15:26 – 16:4a

Reflection

Jesus tells his disciples that he will send the Holy Spirit, who will testify to him. The disciples will also testify to Jesus. Jesus explains this so they do not fall away when they are persecuted by those who have not known the Father or Jesus.

When Jesus explains that the disciples will be killed by those who think they are offering worship to God, we might not believe this applies to us. But often, we might be like those ignorant people who put others down and criticize them for not sharing our faith or struggling to believe. When we reprimand others to behave better or judge them because they aren’t living how we think they should, do we do this in the name of Christ or from a place of feeling superior?

Jesus wants us all to follow his commandments and be as Christ-like as possible. We should help each other to improve and deepen our relationship with God, but it must come from a place of humility. If we think we are “offering worship to God” and doing the right thing by condemning others, for whatever reason, we need to truly reflect before we act.

Jesus has sent us the Holy Spirit to guide our actions and thoughts towards God. Are you listening to his inspiration in your life so that you can testify rightly and truly to our Lord?

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Saint of the Day

St. Philip Neri: 1515 – 1595

“We must not be behind time in doing good; for death will not be behind his time.” St. Philip Neri