Everyone will hate you.

Luke 21:12-19. November 23, 2022 - Wednesday, 34th Week

The Roman historian Tacitus called Christianity a pernicious superstition and considered Christians toxic. Through generations, Christians were accused of all sorts of crimes. In our times, the mainstream media, movies, and literature tend to portray Christians as bigots, hypocrites, self-righteous, and obstacles to progress in the world. “Everyone will hate you because of me” (Luke 21:17). One wonders what causes this hatred.

In the historical setting of the incoming destruction of Jerusalem, it could refer to the fact that for the Romans, the Christians were Jews who opposed them. However, for the Jewish zealots, the Christians were traitors because they refused to fight with them against the Romans. But, if we go beyond those settings, we have to look for other reasons for that hatred and one that comes to my mind is described in the Scripture long before Christianity appeared on the stage of history.

The book of Wisdom contains a conversation that lawless people have about life. In their view, life is short and full of pain. Therefore, we should enjoy it to its fullness. Might is their law, and weakness is useless. And so, they oppress the poor, the widows, and the old. But then there is that righteous man who spoils their party. He does not want to join them in their sinful way of living. On the contrary, his words and lifestyle reproach their way of life. He is a nuisance to them, and so they want to get rid of him (Wisdom 1:16-2:24). Perhaps here is an answer to our problem.

Since its beginning, the Church has often been seen as a nuisance within a society, either as an innovator or an obstacle to new ways of life. Her constant preaching about sin and repentance, judgement and punishment, annoys many. By upholding God’s commandments and holding on to fundamental moral standards, we go against the hedonism and absolute freedom of today’s world. Thus, to paraphrase the book of Wisdom, the very sight of Christians has been a burden to many in the world. Therfore they have tried to get rid of us by persecution, false accusations, imprisonment and even killing (Wisdom 2:15,17-20).

What shall we do then? Should we fight back or join the party? Both options are tempting, but the answer is given to us by our Lord: “By your endurance, you will gain your life”. Neither violence nor compromise is the way, but perseverance in being faithful to Christ and his Gospel.