In today's first reading from Hosea 14, we read some of the most tender words give by the LORD. "I will heal their defection, says the LORD, I will love them freely; for my wrath is turned away from them."
Jesus continues to address the Twelve in today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 10. He tells them, “You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.” We read often in the Scriptures about the need to have endurance and perseverance. Jesus makes it clear that followers of Him are not to be quitters.
We all want to be loved. And to some degree, I believe that we all want to be liked, too. But I don’t know that I’ve ever met a soul that wanted to be hated. Yet Jesus lets His disciples know that this is going to be their fate. You will be hated by all. Some days it really feels that way, doesn’t it? It takes courage to stand up for what is right in the face of hatred, to endure through hate. We have to know that God will supply that courage. And when He does, with it will come endurance. And we know what will happen to those who endure to the end.
Father, help us to endure in the face of the hatred that will befall us because we profess your Son, Christ Jesus. Amen.
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