Reflection for May 9 Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter: John 15:18-21

Gospel: John 15:18-21

Jesus said to his disciples: “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you.  

Remember the word I spoke to you, ‘No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me.”

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Reflection:

There were two brothers who had two different motivations in life. One aspired to become rich and successful in the eyes of the world, while the other had simple aspirations. His deepest desire was only to serve God in whatever way he could and to live a simple, peaceful, and quiet life.

After forty years, both of them had already retired. Yet the brother who had become worldly slowly grew envious of his sibling. Deep in his heart, he realized that the brother who had devoted his life to serving God and His Church was living a more peaceful, fulfilled, and settled life than he was. Though he possessed worldly achievements, his heart remained restless, while his brother possessed the quiet joy and inner peace that only God can truly give.

In our Gospel, Jesus presents to all of us two pathways in life that we may choose: the way of the world or the way of peace with Him. Through our baptism, Jesus has lovingly called each one of us to walk with Him in simplicity, humility, peace, and trust. This has always been God’s beautiful desire for us—not a life consumed by selfish ambition, endless worries, and worldly attachments, but a life rooted in His love and presence.

Yet many of us still choose our own plans instead of God’s plan. We become too focused on worldly success, possessions, recognition, and pleasures, thinking that these will give us lasting happiness. But sooner or later, we realize that the things of this world can never fully satisfy the deepest longing of our hearts. Without God, even abundance can leave us empty; but with God, even a simple life becomes rich with peace, meaning, and joy.

As we continue our journey in life, may we ask ourselves honestly: Which path are we truly following—the restless way of the world or the peaceful way of Christ? And when everything in this world fades away, will we be able to say that we chose to live not only for ourselves, but for God who lovingly called us to walk with Him each day?— Marino J. Dasmarinas