The Christian in the world

On Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter our Church invites us to first read and reflect on a passage from the book of Revelation (21:1-8) entitled "The new Jerusalem". Our treasure, which follows, is from a letter to Diognetus. The Letter to Diognetus is a clear and succinct explanation of what it means to follow Jesus and that there is no other life worth living. The letter to Diognetus is an example of Christian apologetics, writings defending Christianity against the charges of its critics. The writer and recipient of the letter are not otherwise known. Based on language and other textual evidence it is believed to have been written in the late second century, which would make it one of the earliest examples of apologetic literature. The primary teaching in today's treasure from the Letter to Diognetus, especially the section often titled "The Christian in the World," is that Christians are called to live fully in the world while belonging spiritually to God, offering a quiet but transformative witness through their way of life. The anonymous author of Letter to Diognetus explains that Christians do not separate themselves by nationality, language, or outward customs; rather, they share in ordinary human life—family, work, and society—yet live by a higher moral and spiritual standard. The striking image used is that Christians are to the world what the soul is to the body: present everywhere, giving life, yet distinct in identity and purpose. They love even when persecuted, obey laws while surpassing them in virtue, and remain detached from worldly excess while fully engaged in human responsibilities. Our first reading from Revelation (21:1–8) teaches that God will bring about a completely renewed creation where He dwells perfectly with His people, while definitively removing all evil. The vision of a "new heaven and a new earth" signifies the fulfillment of God's plan—creation restored and transformed, no longer marked by sin, suffering, or death. The "new Jerusalem" coming down from heaven represents the perfected community of God's people, now fully united with Him. The central promise is deeply personal: God will dwell among His people, and every tear, pain, and loss will be wiped away forever. At the same time, the passage makes clear that this new life is the inheritance of those who remain faithful. In contrast, those who persist in rejecting God and living in sin face exclusion from this renewed creation. This underscores both the hope of salvation and the seriousness of moral choice.