We want to be liked

It is very natural, for humans are inherently social.

Yet this desire to be liked is very often a source of danger.

We all know how peer pressure can lead young people to do things that are wrong and even things that are destructive.

Even as adults, however, most of us very much want to be liked and so we can let this affect our behavior.

Many times there is nothing wrong with this, but many times the desire to be liked by others causes us to be less concerned about what is right and true.

The funny thing is that one does not have to give up being liked in order to do what is right and true. The only question is whether we want to be liked by people beholden to the world or liked (and loved) by faithful brothers and sisters in Christ and open to the infinite love of God.

Our Lord gives us a very clear reminder in today’s Gospel (John 15:18-21):

If the world hates you,
realize that it hated me first.

If you belonged to the world,
the world would love its own;
but because you do not belong to the world,
and I have chosen you out of the world,
the world hates you.

Remember the word I spoke to you,
‘No slave is greater than his master.’

If they persecuted me,
they will also persecute you.

If they kept my word,
they will also keep yours.

And they will do all these things to you
on account of my name,
because they do not know
the one who sent me.

May we always keep ourselves focused on and filled with the love of God, so that we may share that love with others in fullness and in truth: heeding not the likes and dislikes of this world, but remaining faithful to truth and perfect love with all of our brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ.