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
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) 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. Paul returned to the town of Lystra three times after the townspeople stoned him and left him to die for preaching the gospel (see Acts 14:20, 21; 16:1). He wanted to reassure and encourage the disciples in Lystra to persevere in the faith (Acts 14:22).
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, April 24, 2000
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 27, 2000