Holy Spirit of God, Help me pass through the midst of those who hate me and be on my way…

                                                                                              
Luke 4: 24-30
Not many of us face a whole town of people who hate us, as Jesus did in his home town of Nazareth.  But we too, like Jesus, are in relationship with people with the same potential sinfulness, the same hard-heartedness.  In our families, our communities, our work places and our world in general, relationships come and go and can change radically overnight. As such, sometimes we also fall out of favour for seemingly illogical reasons with others. And although we are not threatened with being literally pushed over a cliff, public shunning or social media ‘dissing’ can often ensue that push and pull us in directions we would rather not go. That’s OK! Our Master showed us/ me how to deal with seemingly endless prejudice, scape-goating and slanderous disagreement with who I am and what I do as a follower of Christ Jesus in the context of my social environment.  Jesus calls us/ me to pass through the midst of the naysayers, the nasty remarks and those who would throw me over a cliff… and then continue on my way with him. Will I be paralyzed by fright and grief, or try to apologize or argue my way to peace? Or will I, like Jesus, pass through the antipathy of others, and continue on my way as a disciple of the One who taught me to pray for my enemies and do good to those who despitefully use me? Holy Spirit, help me pass through the midst of those who hate me, and continue on my way  
 
Here I am, Lord, I delight to do your will, O my God your law is within my heart.  (Psalm 40:1)
 
May the fire of your word consume our sins and its brightness illumine our hearts.
Psalm-prayer for Psalm 119:145-152, Shorter Christian Prayer,  Week III Saturday Morning.
 
See Mother Teresa’s poem, “Be Kind Anyway…” at https://www.azquotes.com/quote/449588
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei
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