It pains us to see such hatred exploding now in the world, from the divisons in politics, the screams, the demonstrations, the protests, and the denunciations. Women against men, left against right, liberal against conservative. The divisions go on. We are not really in a position to offer political solutions. People have been trying for years.

But as Christians, we can seek to refresh and stabilize how we ourselves live out the New Commandment that our Lord gave us. Our Lord  foresaw that there would be hate against the disciples continuing his work. He knew it would be painful.

John 15, 18: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. (…) If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (Jn 15:12).

A meditation preached on October 20, 2023, by Fr. Eric Nicolai at Cedarcrest Conference Centre in Belfountain, Ontario, located north of Toronto.

Music: Bert Alink, Mossy Garden.

Thumbnail: Original text of the Mandatum Novum, the New Commandment, from the DYA Academy, installed in 1932 by St. Josemaria in Madrid.