Jesus said You will be hated by all

[baltobetsy]

I don’t think we should make it a goal to be hated by all. St. Paul tells us how he becomes all things to all people in order to save their souls. St. Francis de Sales says, “We must cook the truth in charity until it tastes sweet.”

In other words, our being Catholic does not excuse us from the obligation of everyday good manners and tact. Part of our apostolic “tactics” should be getting a sense of the other person and how best to communicate with him. Respectful listening always lays a good foundation for the eventual telling of the truth.

Betsy

 

[JoeSchmeau]

I have to wonder, just how many real Christians are there in the world?

I hope I’m not taking this too much out of context, but the above statement is what stood out to me. Frankly, I don’t think this attitude will convert many.

 

[DebChris]

I have sometimes been at a loss for the perfect words to say… but i say SOMETHING anyway,because it is an important issue (abortion, etc…). We Christians can not sit back and say nothing/do nothing while murder is going on…
I’m making myself feel a little guilty here because i haven’t done much for the pro-life cause lately, other than prayer… But we have to look at it as our brothers and sisters being butchered… as Jesus being murdered… “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren, you [do/don’t] do unto me…”

During the Sex Scandal within the Church, many crude statements were made during breaks. My standing up and walking away spoke more eloquently than any words I may have used. It led others at the table to personally approach me later where differences and my faith could more rationally be discussed.

One day a woman brought her daughter to my brother’s apartment and asked if he and my sister-in-law would babysit while she took her daughter across the street for an abortion.
My sister-in-law, with more authority than I possess simply said, “I wish you wouldn’t.” That was all that was needed.
I have posted on another site the constitutional amendment that I have been presenting to legislators since the initial court decision.
For others, the call may be working in Rachel’s vineyard or providing clothes and other necessities to help relieve the anxiety of a pregnant mother unsure she can provide for a child.

Sometimes we do more than we ourselves realize. This was brought home to me when a Temp where I used to work thanked me for giving him a ride more than a year earlier. It is by our lives that we bear witness to Christ.

Baltobetsy–Well stated.

 

[contramundum7]

For Americans, the common value is liberty. That liberty is denied when life is denied.

The Constitution professes to honor our God-given right to “LIFE, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. Roe v Wade violates the Constitution. Simple… and yet some people (Sup Ct) complicate things, just to get something or keep something legalized… The R v W decision invented a “right to privacy” (concerning a woman’s body, etc.) from (I think i am quoting accurately) “emanations from the penumbra…” of the Constitution… Even if i don’t have it 100% worded correctly, you get the jist… (sounds pretty hokey when u get beyond the fancy words). Yet the right to life could not be more clearly stated in the Constitution (not to mention: the Word of God).

At times, I attend services with other denominations. We hold as true that Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead. I have heard prayers for the conversion of Catholics. After the service, I have revealed my Catholicism to the shocked response of “I didn’t know Catholics believed that (about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ).”

Been there … I am glad u go to these services… Better u than me . I haven’t been to one in a long time. I actually used to get lonely when i would go there… I suppose i was missing the Real Presence… (etc).
God bless your work.
The saints & Scripture tell us it is difficult to get into Heaven, that few will be saved. It seems the longer i live, the less i struggle to believe this (I’ve seen a lot of evil in my day…).
The weird thing is, people choose to be damned…
Anyway… As long as those who are damned - and don’t care -have their say in the world, we will have to live w/ t hings like abortion on demand… (Nazism).
Be gone, Satan, in the Name of Jesus. :bowdown2:

 

[contramundum7]

I think the idea that if you follow Jesus, you must be hated, is a misconception.

Was Pope John Paul II hated?

Was Mother Teresa Hated?

Yes they were. Many people said horrible things about both of them. One reporter accused Mother Teresa of being a “glory hound”, implying she just wanted attention and admiration…

Being hated because you love, is a different thing and not something that a person of holiness would even be aware of.

Jim

What are you talking about?? The more i pray the rosary, the more i attend Mass, the more i accept my Cross, the more I embrace Jesus and His way, the more sensitive i am to the spiritual “realities” of others. I often sense hatred and it is not my imagination… The world is run by the devil and he hates Christians… and when people sin, they let the devil in and he is “with them” everywhere they go… & incites them to hatred toward those who are “not like them”, not on the same page, if you will…

 

[contramundum7]

I wonder what effect your speaking out has had on the people who hear you. Do you think they have stopped doing the wrong they were doing, or have they come to know Jesus better?

i will answer this question. I am an outspoke Catholic and therefore “hated by all”. I plant seeds. I have no way of knowing what happens to a lot of those seeds, once planted… and yet, i had an experience the other day that showed me my words and even the way i say them (I am human…) have caused people to change their views or at least one backed off, didn’t bother to argue any further… How can one really argue w/ the truth? I told this young girl that abortion is always wrong… that abortion destroys women (Post Abortion Syndrome…) as well as killing the child, that the man loses his rights, and that it sends a msg to society that life is cheap and expendable… (Nazism)…
Anyway, standing up for Jesus and God’s way… is never going to be popular, but people DO listen…

 

[contramundum7]

I don’t think we should make it a goal to be hated by all. …In other words, our being Catholic does not excuse us from the obligation of everyday good manners and tact.
Betsy

Do you assume Poster is rude, uncaring, etc in his/her approach??
I am neither when witnessing. I am always charitable and try to say only what the Holy Spirit wants… In fact, i just let the HS take over… and yet, i feel rejected by many people… I feel very alone sometimes (I don’t have anyone in my life who realy feels the same way, is as zealous/outspoken, etc…)… My family members probably think i am a total religious nut…
Oh well… I’m sure the people of His day thought the same hting about Jesus… and the Saints/martyrs…

 

[TOP]

I don’t think it is people individually. I think it is the spirit of this world. Gang mentality almost. Talk one on one with somebody and you get somewhere, but talk in a group about something that opposes their comfort zone and watch out. Just go to the apologetics sub forum to see that. People aren’t bad, it is just the people that I have a problem with. Tim

 

[contramundum7]

. I think it is the spirit of this world. Gang mentality almost. Talk one on one with somebody and you get somewhere, but talk in a group about something that opposes their comfort zone and watch out.

True… And sometimes if you are out-numbered at the start, well, u just stay that way… which i guess is what you are saying. Anyway, i disagree that people are good. Some are, but most people, according the saints, don’t make it to Heaven… so i guess they are not good in the eyes of our Holy God…

 

[baltobetsy]

Do you assume Poster is rude, uncaring, etc in his/her approach??

I don’t assume anything except that many people are lurking and reading and it is possible to interpret the OP in that way. I have no idea whether it is true or not of any person.

Betsy

 

[kitkatty]

I think the idea that if you follow Jesus, you must be hated, is a misconception.

Was Pope John Paul II hated?

Was Mother Teresa Hated?

Both made non-believers both uncomfortable, and yet curious at the same time.

If being hated is a sign of a true Christians, then Jehovah’s witnesses are better Christians that we are, because with their obnoxious door to door evangelizing, they fueled the dislike people have for them.

Jesus words about being hated, have more to do with how well you live the gospel, not how good you’re at irritating people with “in your face” religious preaching.

If you love people, there will be those who will hate you, regardless of whether your a Christian, Jew, Hindu or Buddhist.

However, your love is what gives God glory, and it is God who deserves any credit for the goodness others see in you.

Being hated is as easy as hating.

Being hated because you love, is a different thing and not something that a person of holiness would even be aware of.

Jim

I agree with you on living the gospel, the problem with some people is that even the mention that you go to Church is considered IN YOUR FACE RELIGION by them. I have to say the environments a lot of us find ourselves in are not open to those trying to live the Christian life. They feel, shut-up and keep it to yourself.

 

[kitkatty]

I find myself hated even by Christians for some of the views I take and then I find myself hated by liberals. Well, guess what, I don’t care.

I guess if we dont have that "Im okay, you`re okay attitude" we are going to be hated by a lot of people.

 

[Neil_Anthony]

I agree with you on living the gospel, the problem with some people is that even the mention that you go to Church is considered IN YOUR FACE RELIGION by them. I have to say the environments a lot of us find ourselves in are not open to those trying to live the Christian life. They feel, shut-up and keep it to yourself.

I had a non-Christian friend who was offended by people who had a Jesus fish on their car. When talking about it she would get flustered and say something like “What purpose does it serve to have it on your car where you can’t even see it when you’re driving!? It’s obviously just there for other people to see! Why should I care about your opinion? If you want a religious reminder put it somewhere YOU can see it.”

I tried to explain that people who have come to know Jesus and who owe their eternal lives to Him have a desire to share that with others, and that the fish is there to witness to what Jesus has done for us. But “thats just their opinion, why should I care about their opinion??”

It doesn’t take much to make people mad. But if you make them mad, does that close them off to listening? I found it a hard line to walk between witnessing and turning her off.

I suspect she found it maddening because it brings to mind people who have used the ‘in your face’ method of evangelizing.

 

[DebChris]

The Constitution professes to honor our God-given right to “LIFE, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. Roe v Wade violates the Constitution. Simple… and yet some people (Sup Ct) complicate things, just to get something or keep something legalized… The R v W decision invented a “right to privacy” (concerning a woman’s body, etc.) from (I think i am quoting accurately) “emanations from the penumbra…” of the Constitution… Even if i don’t have it 100% worded correctly, you get the jist… (sounds pretty hokey when u get beyond the fancy words). Yet the right to life could not be more clearly stated in the Constitution (not to mention: the Word of God).
:

The amendment is “Recognizing that without life there is no liberty, every reasonable effort shall be made to protect the life and dignity of the individual from the moment of conception.”
This amendment takes into account less than black and white situations like Triage and hostage taking. It also keeps intact the Karen Ann Quinlan ruling. She died quietly 15 years after the removal of life support.
I only attend non-Catholic services after having received Communion at Mass.
We can remain tactful without compromising the truth. I do not think Jesus encouraged his Apostles to intentionally anger another person. When an argument begins to escalate it is often better to walk away and give the situation back to God. In a more reflective atmosphere, the person may be more open to hearing and responding to what God is telling his/her heart. Let the Holy Spirit do the work.
When I had a car, I had a small fish on the back and a dove on the front license. People did not necessarily recognize the symbol meant by my “upside down bird” or fish.

 

[distracted]

Being hated because you love, is a different thing and not something that a person of holiness would even be aware of.

Jim

I am hated for this reason… and HOW.

 

[distracted]

I had a non-Christian friend who was offended by people who had a Jesus fish on their car. .

Do you think you ought to be close friends w/ someone who is not Christian? The Bible says not to be unequally yoked w/ unbelievers… They can mess w/ your faith… drag you down… cause you to sin (become worldly, etc…)…

There’s no way i could have a non-christian friend… I am far too GONE for that (too Catholic, that is… if there is such a thing…).

 

[distracted]

I find myself hated even by Christians for some of the views I take and then I find myself hated by liberals. Well, guess what, I don’t care.

I would love to hear some testimonials from someone who is hated for the sake of righteousness, as i am…

And, as stated elsewhere, i am hated, not just for being a strong Christian, but actually for being “loving” (Long story).

Sometimes when you are “kind” , etc… well, people take kindness for weakness and think they can kick you around a little… Only i have no problem, usually, pretending I am Jesus and overturning the “temple tables”… :hypno:
Yes, i am exaggerating a little… but not much… (I don’t think its a sin to get angry… its just a sin … some of the things you can do when you are angyr :whacky: …)
Actually, i am pretty proud of myself because today someone treated me incredibly rudely for no apparent reason and i didn’t say (much of) anything… (I said something under my breath…but it wasn’t anything “nasty” ). Only thinking of Jesus allowed me to do that.
May you be one of the few who makes it... (St. Matthew 7:13 & 19:21, etc..). :)

 

[distracted]

I don’t think we should make it a goal to be hated by all.

I’m not sure anyone here said we should do that… but i do believe that if you love Jesus, are outspoken about it (and especially about His Church), you are going to be hated, no doubt about it… like it or not…

It is difficult being hated by all… but its the price Christians pay for following Jesus…

     (St. Matthew 10:22) 

                                    :crying:            :banghead:                                 :knight2:                                                                                                                                  :harp:       :heaven:

 

[Matas]

I think the idea that if you follow Jesus, you must be hated, is a misconception.

Was Pope John Paul II hated?

Was Mother Teresa Hated?

Both made non-believers both uncomfortable, and yet curious at the same time.

If being hated is a sign of a true Christians, then Jehovah’s witnesses are better Christians that we are, because with their obnoxious door to door evangelizing, they fueled the dislike people have for them.

Jesus words about being hated, have more to do with how well you live the gospel, not how good you’re at irritating people with “in your face” religious preaching.

If you love people, there will be those who will hate you, regardless of whether your a Christian, Jew, Hindu or Buddhist.

However, your love is what gives God glory, and it is God who deserves any credit for the goodness others see in you.

Being hated is as easy as hating.

Being hated because you love, is a different thing and not something that a person of holiness would even be aware of.

Jim

Well Saints Peter and Paul used to go around to various towns and preach for a while before getting tossed out of town. They’d get beat up, rocks thrown at them, tossed around, knocked out… they really had to make a fast get-away sometimes. I’ll bet that they weren’t just hanging out being all meek and mild, loving everyone until someone called the cops on them. But some people heard, and believed. It’s the same way with unbelievers these days. All some have to do is see a fish symbol on a car, or hear a bit of the Gospel, and they get real mean real fast. Sifting wheat is hard work.

 

[Neil_Anthony]

Well Saints Peter and Paul used to go around to various towns and preach for a while before getting tossed out of town. They’d get beat up, rocks thrown at them, tossed around, knocked out… they really had to make a fast get-away sometimes. I’ll bet that they weren’t just hanging out being all meek and mild, loving everyone until someone called the cops on them. But some people heard, and believed. It’s the same way with unbelievers these days. All some have to do is see a fish symbol on a car, or hear a bit of the Gospel, and they get real mean real fast. Sifting wheat is hard work.

Thing is, they were going to towns where people had really never heard the Gospel. Today everyone has heard of Jesus. Are they getting mad because you’re just repeating things to them which they already know, when they’ve shown no interest?