Whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.”* : (John 16:2)

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Easter Season : Sixth Week:  Monday*

*Gospel :  John 15:26-16:4*

*First Reading : Acts : 16:11-15*

*Responsorial Psalm : 149:1-9*

*“Whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.”* : (John 16:2)

*1) Meaning of Jesus" Words*

*A) Religious sincerity is not the same as truth*

A person may honestly believe they are serving God and still commit evil.

Jesus says persecution will come from people who are convinced they are defending religion, purity, tradition, or divine will.

This is one of the most sobering teachings in the Gospel:

A person can pray, worship, quote scripture, and yet oppose God’s work.

Zeal without humility can become dangerous.

Jesus immediately explains why: “They will do these things because they have not known the Father nor me.” (John 16:3). In other words, true knowledge of God produces love, mercy, truth, and humility—not violence and hatred.

*B) Following truth may bring rejection*

Jesus wants His disciples not to be shocked when suffering comes.

He says:

the world may reject them,

authorities may condemn them,

even religious institutions may oppose them.

This is not because truth is weak, but because truth exposes pride, hypocrisy, and power.

*C)  The Holy Spirit will help believers*

Just before this warning, Jesus speaks about the “Advocate” or “Spirit of Truth” (John 15:26).

The message is: You will not suffer alone. God’s Spirit will strengthen, guide, and testify through you.

So the passage is both a warning and a consolation.

*2) How history proved this saying*

*A) Early Christians persecuted by religious authorities*

The first Christians were persecuted by some leaders who believed they were protecting true religion.

A major example is Saul of Tarsus (later Saint Paul).

Before his conversion: he imprisoned Christians, approved violent persecution, sincerely believed he was defending God. Later he realized he had been opposing the very truth he thought he was serving.

*B) Religious wars and inquisitions*

Across centuries: Christians persecuted other Christians, people killed in the name of defending doctrine,

courts and empires used religion to justify violence.

Many participants sincerely believed they were serving God.

Jesus’ words reveal a tragic human tendency:

people can use religion to justify fear, power, nationalism, hatred, or control.

*C) Other religions and ideologies too*

This teaching is universal.

Not only Christians, but followers of many religions and ideologies have sometimes harmed others believing they were defending truth, purity, nation, revolution, or divine will.

Jesus exposes the danger of fanaticism: when certainty loses compassion.

*3) ow this applies today*

This passage is still deeply relevant.

*A) Moral certainty can become cruelty*

Today people may: attack others online, shame and destroy reputations, justify hatred, exclude or dehumanize others, while believing they are morally righteous.

The spirit behind this is similar: “I am doing good,” while harming human dignity.

Jesus invites self-examination: Does my zeal produce love? Does my conviction leave room for humility? Am I defending God, or defending my ego and tribe?

*B) Genuine faith may still face opposition*

People who speak truth about: justice, corruption, compassion, peace, human dignity, may still face rejection—even from their own communities. Jesus teaches that opposition does not automatically mean failure.

*C) Discernment is necessary*

Not every action done “in God’s name” truly reflects God. Jesus gives a criterion: true knowledge of God resembles: love, truth, mercy, humility, willingness to suffer rather than make others suffer.

*4) Deeper Reflections* 

*A) Beware of self-righteousness* : The most dangerous spiritual state is not weakness, but the conviction:

“I cannot possibly be wrong.” Jesus warns that people can commit evil while feeling holy. Humility protects the soul.

*B) Truth and love must stay together* : Truth without love becomes harshness. Love without truth becomes sentimentality. Jesus combines both.

*C) God is not defended by hatred* : Whenever religion produces contempt, violence, cruelty, or dehumanization, something essential about God has been forgotten. Jesus Himself accepted suffering rather than destroy His enemies.

*D)  The disciple should not fear rejection* 

Jesus tells the disciples beforehand so they will not lose faith when difficulties come.

The message is: misunderstanding is not new, suffering for truth is not meaningless, God remains present through the Spirit.

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*