"You
will be hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed."
(Lk 21: 17-18)
Luke wrote his Gospel when the persecutions against the early Christians had already begun. But, as with every word of God, this sentence, too, is directed to Christians of all times and to their everyday lives. It contains a warning and a promise. The first phrase has more to do with our present life and the second one, with our future life. Both invariably prove to be true in the history of the Church and in the personal circumstances of all those who strive to be faithful disciples of Christ.
It is normal for a follower of Christ to be hated. It is the destiny of a genuine Christian who lives in this world. Let us not deceive ourselves. Paul reminds us: "All who want to live religiously in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Tim 3:12).
Jesus explains why: "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" (Jn 15:19). There will always be a contrast between the lifestyle of a Christian and the lifestyle of a society that rejects Gospel values. This contrast can foment into a persecution that is more or less masked or into an indifference that makes us suffer.
"You will be
hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed."
So we have been warned. When we try to love someone and he or she responds with hate—in a way that seems incomprehensible to us, quite beyond all logic and common sense—this response should not confuse us, or scandalize us, or even surprise us. It is nothing more than a manifestation of the opposition that exists between selfish human beings and God. But it’s also the guarantee that we are on the right path, the same one the Master traveled. So it’s a moment for rejoicing and being glad.
And this is the way Jesus wants us to be: "Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you … because of me. Rejoice and be glad" (Mt 5:11-12).
Yes, in that moment what must prevail in our hearts is joy, that joy which is the characteristic note, the uniform of true Christians in every circumstance. Another reason—and we should not forget this—is that we have many friends, brothers and sisters in the faith, and their love is a source of consolation and strength.
"You will be
hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed."
There is also the promise of Jesus: "… not a hair on your head will be destroyed." What do these words mean? Jesus takes up a proverb from Samuel (1 Sam 14:45) and applies it to the final destiny of his disciples, in order to assure them and us that, although this hatred brings real suffering and real difficulties, we should realize that we are entirely in the hands of God, who is our Father, who knows everything about us, and who will never abandon us.
When Jesus says that not even a hair on our head will be destroyed, he means to assure us that he himself will take care of all our worries no matter how small—worries about our own lives, about our loved ones, and about all those things we have in our hearts. How many martyrs, known and unknown, have drawn from the words of Jesus the strength and courage to face the loss of their rights, to face division, isolation, contempt, even violent death, always certain that God, in his love, permits everything for the good of his children!
"You will be
hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed."
If we are the target of hatred or violence, or if we feel that we are at the mercy of the powerful, we already know the attitude that Jesus wants us to have: we must love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us and pray for those who mistreat us (see Lk 6:27-28).
We must make a counterattack and conquer hatred with love.
How can we do this?
By taking the initiative in loving, and by being careful not to "hate" anyone, not even in a hidden or subtle way. The reason is that deep down this same world that rejects God has need of him, of his love, and has the capacity to respond to his call.
Now, how can we live this Word of Life?
By being happy to find ourselves worthy of the world’s hatred, the guarantee that we are following Jesus ever more closely, and by putting love, in a concrete way, precisely where there is hatred.
The commentary to the Word of Life is translated in 90 different languages and dialects, and reaches more than 14 million people worldwide, through the press, and radio and TV programs. If you would like to read experiences of life related to this or to past " Words of Life," they can be found in Living City magazine, the monthly publication of the Focolare Movement. For information, or to subscribe, write to: Living City, P.O. Box 837, Bronx, NY 10465. To order the magazine, call: 1-800-462-5980. E-mail: livingcity2000@att.net or info@newcitypress.com or visit the website: https://www.newcitypress.com/livingcity.htm © 2001 - Living City of Focolare Movement - P.O. Box 837, Bronx, New York 10465
Presented here with permission of the publishers
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