May 9, 2026 // Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: John 15:18-21
Reflect on the Word //
An elegant, jazzy ambiance pulsed through the restaurant downtown even as airhorns and megaphoned voices throbbed outside. These were not the circumstances my choirmates and I expected for our special post-performance dinner, but we were safe. Although the protestors outside were nonviolent and few in number, their noise was great, and their shouts proved that they knew Who we followed. Eventually, we raised our own chorus from indoors, the Salve Regina. I heard the commotion stop halfway through the hymn, and to my disbelief, it never resumed. Our love and praise for the names of Jesus and Mary quelled this persecution.
During this close brush with animosity because of the faith, I thought of Christ’s words from today’s Gospel: “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first [. . .] if they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:18, 20b). With this reminder from Jesus in mind, I was not perturbed. Instead, I counted it a privilege to experience the world’s hatred “on account of [Christ’s] name” (John 15:21). When others lash out from places of hurt deep inside of them, intending to demean us for our faith, they in fact only reaffirm the dignity of our discipleship in Christ. We can experience peace in the face of opposition because we know we walk in the love of God.
The world touts “love” everywhere, particularly as their buzzword to back whatever awareness movement they are trying to push. And yet their version of love is a strongly selective, feel-good concept, because the world only loves its own. Jesus reminds us that we “do not belong to the world” (John 15:19)—we were chosen out of it by true, abiding Love Himself. The world hates this, yet they know they are lacking something. They don’t know that they replace authentic love with mere fickle favor.
The Lord invites us to a constant, faithful love, built on His abiding, eternal love. The One Who sent us invites us to confidently choose peace and praise even when the world clamors against us. We can witness to His Love, trusting that He will overcome all hate.
Relate to the Lord // Sing or listen to the Salve Regina. Ask Our Lady to pray for you today.
Leila Joy Castillo is passionate about bringing Christ to others through the written word in her freelance work, particularly as a media contractor for Ascension and as a homeschool literature tutor. She studied at Ave Maria University and is a lifelong Floridian, so mountains especially delight her heart. Leila could spend far too long chatting about Catholic travel destinations, the saints, life with her three wonderful siblings, and almost anything Jane Austen. You can follow her creativity via Instagram @leila_joyinthejourney.
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