431 part ii: meditations for more solemn feasts the law of loving one’s neighbor; while in the New Law, His eternal Son bound you by the precept of the same mutual love. Would you dare now to slander somebody else’s good name; to censure the lifestyle, conduct, and morals of another; to avenge the insults, and to hate your brother? For Christ, the Judge of all, commands something opposite when the unchangeable Word calls forth: “This I command you, to love one another.” 2. “If the world hates you, know that it has hated [M]e before it hated you” (Jn 15:18). Consider that by “the world,” Christ the Lord means wicked people committed to the world, eager for vainglory, envious and subject to similar vices; those whom His heavenly life displeased; whom His divine actions so moved to anger that, after abuses, insults and so many hostile actions, finally they put Him to death. Wherefore, He admonishes you rightly, having Himself previously endured such enemies, that you should know as a true imitator of Christ, that the world and its followers will be hostile to you. And indeed, you should always be ready to overcome them, or at least, following the example of Christ, to endure them patiently. 3. “I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (Jn 15:19). This is the reason, the fault, and the evil due to which the servants of the world persecute with hatred the servants of God! It is because the latter do not busy themselves with worldly things, because they avoid the former’s company, and because they would like to live piously in Christ. For that reason, they suffer persecution. But the greatest consolation for the servants of God is this: “If they persecuted [M]e, they will persecute you” (Jn 15:20). What causes dread to their persecutors is this: that at some time God will finally punish the wrongs done to Himself and to His servants. However, in the present Holy Communion pray to the Lord for those who persecute you. You would never vindicate them better than if you reconciled them to God. You will never prepare yourself better for enduring [f.138r] persecutions, than when,
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