tough love
"We owe it to such men to support them and thus to have our share in the work of truth." —3 John 8
St. John told Gaius to "demonstrate fidelity" (3 Jn 5) and love by helping and supporting the missionaries John had sent to Gaius' church (3 Jn 6, 8). To do this would cost Gaius not only time and money but also his reputation (see 3 Jn 10) and his membership in his local church. This is because Diotrephes, the leader of Gaius' church, threatened to excommunicate anyone who accepted John's missionaries (3 Jn 10).
To obey the Lord, to remain faithful and loving, to love the Church (Eph 5:25), and to support our brothers and sisters in Christ and the mission work of the Church sometimes results in our being persecuted, slandered, and rejected. Are we so committed to our brothers and sisters in Christ that we will suffer anything rather than be unfaithful to that commitment? Do we love each other so much that we will lay down our lives for one another? (1 Jn 3:16; Jn 15:13) Let us love and suffer as Jesus loved and suffered.
Prayer: Father, may I love without counting the cost.
Promise: Jesus told His disciples "a parable on the necessity of praying always and not losing heart." —Lk 18:1
Praise: St. Josaphat was martyred for trying to unite Catholic and Orthodox Christians.
Reference: (To love as Jesus loved, order, listen to or download any or all of the following CDs or DVDs on our website: Ignorance of Scriptures is Ignorance of Christ, CD 82-1, DVD 82, How to Pray the Bible, CD 82-3, DVD 82, How to Read the Bible, CD 46-3, DVD 46, Principles of Bible Interpretation, CD 79-1, DVD 79.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 31, 2016
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