What is it like to be friends with someone who is not just unpopular but also hated? In the Gospel reading today, Jesus reminds His disciples, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated Me before you.” This is Jesus’ caution and reminder - that discipleship under Him comes at a price – that of being rejected, and even hated, by the world because we stand with the One Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

We see this happening in our internet world today, with people having a social media platform doing anything in order to up the views, likes, and subscriptions. Many end up compromising personal values and principles in the pursuit of popularity determined by the number of followers and subscribers. During His time on earth, Jesus experienced something similar – He had innumerable followers but not everyone was a friend. When trials come and association becomes more a liability than an advantage, betrayals and denials follow. Indeed, despite having 12 close disciples, only 3 persons stood at the foot of the cross in Jesus’ hour of need.

Let us renew our commitment to follow Christ today even if we are hated by the world. Because this world will pass away but heaven is eternal. And it is towards this we are heading because the one the world hated first is waiting for us there.