if the world hates you

When you encounter hatred, how do you react? With kindness? With patience? With understanding? Or with more hate? Our Gospel today has Jesus telling his disciples, "If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first" (Jn 15:18). It's not an encouraging statement, but it is the reality when we choose to follow Jesus Christ. Not everyone is going to like it, some might even hate you for it. And so, when you encounter that hatred, how do you react?  As Jesus did, knowing that God's love conquers all hearts.

Today we honor Our Lady of Fatima who gave the message that God's love can conquer all hearts!  In 1917, Mary appeared to three children in Fatima with the message to pray for the conversion of souls, to make reparation for the sins committed against God, and to pray the rosary everyday for peace in the world. During a time in the world where there was much hate, Mary wanted those children to respond with love, fervently praying that God's love will conquer hearts.  

Our Lady's message is the same today. How much she desires that those who follow her son respond with love to the hate in the world, fervently praying that more hearts will be conquered by God's love.
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O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell
and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.
-the Fatima prayer