Brett May 3, 2021

It is becoming more evident every day, that the world hates Christ. Despises  His truth. Ignores His Gospel. Dismisses His claims to be the one and only Saviour. Mocks His cross. Scoffs at the empty tomb. The hatred is so pronounced that the world denigrates even that which reflects something of Jesus – the human person, the traditional family, and the Church He started.

The Catholic Church, the bride of Christ, is no longer considered a trusted lighthouse for society. Growing numbers of people are becoming convinced that the further society flees from the influence of the Church, the better off society will be.

Just because the world hates us, doesn’t mean we get to hate the world. That is not the Church’s privilege. That is not the Christian’s privilege.

Just because the world hates Christ and hates His people, doesn't mean we get to hate the world. That's not the Church's privilege. That's not the Christian's privilege. Click To Tweet

I cannot remember another season in my life so full of all-out hatred toward the Gospel, God’s people, His truth and His Church.  Uncertain how to handle such hatred, I am reminded of the question that became popular in the 1990s, “What would Jesus do?” What would Jesus do in the midst of so much hostility and hatred?

In the Gospel, we witness how Jesus responded to hatred and attack. It is important to recall that what Jesus did in His physical body on earth, He wants to continue to do through His mystical body, the Church.

Everything Jesus did in his physical body - heal, restore, forgive and save. He wants to continue to do through his mystical body, the Church. You and me. Click To Tweet

In His physical body, Jesus forgave those who crucified Him. In His physical body, He went to seek and save the lost, the oppressed, the hurting, the shameful, the sick, the wounded, the outliers, the forgotten.

Unlike most Jewish people of His day, Jesus didn’t walk around Samaria – avoiding the Samaritans – to get to Jerusalem, He walked right through it. Actually, He did more than that, He walked to it. And stayed there.

He came to a well at high noon. Upon arrival, He sent His followers away to get food.

Why did He stay at the well and send His closest friends away? Was Jesus looking for some alone time? Hardly! He sensed the evangelical moment. He knew that a woman would soon come for water.

What kind of woman goes to the well at high noon, alone and unprotected by a man or other women? Not the kind of woman that was hoping for conversation, that’s for sure! There are only two kinds of people that go to the well at the hottest part of the day. Someone racked with shame AND the Saviour that loves her.

There are only two kinds of people that go to the well at high noon - someone racked with shame AND the Saviour that loves her! Click To Tweet

Jesus sent His followers away because He knew that if a small crowd was gathered by the well, the Samaritan woman would not have approached the well. He always prioritizes the one He is trying to reach over the one He is trying to keep. His passionate pursuit of the woman at the well is another example of His reckless love and should be an inspiration for members of His Church.

Jesus is a seeking Saviour and He wants a seeking Church! He wants a missionary Church. Full of seeking disciples animated with the same unconditional love for people; regardless of how far they have fallen. Regardless of how addicted or ‘messed up’, they have become.  In Jesus’ eyes, every saint of the Church has a past and every sinner has a future.

Jesus wants a seeking Church! He wants a missionary Church animated with unconditional love for people, regardless of how fallen or addicted or messed up they are. Click To Tweet

Just as God sent his Son into the world NOT to condemn the world but that through Him the world may be saved, so Christ sends His Church into the world NOT to condemn the world but that through her, all may be saved.

God sent his Son into the world NOT to condemn the world but that through Him the world may be saved. So Christ sent His Church into the world NOT to condemn the world but that through her, all may be saved. Click To Tweet

The prodigals will not return to the Father’s house until the Father’s house is filled with the Father’s love. It starts here and it starts now. It starts with you and me! We are His hands and feet and voice.

The prodigals will not return to the Father’s house until the Father’s house is filled with the Fathers love. It starts here and now. It starts with you and me! We are His hands and feet and voice. Click To Tweet