A reading from the gospel according to John 16:29-33:
29 The disciples said to Jesus, “Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech.
30 Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you. Because of this, we believe that you came from God.”
31 Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now?
32 Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
33 I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world, you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”
Reflection:
I am not alone because the Father is with me. Though His disciples will be scattered, Jesus will never be alone. Even at the cross where He would cry out, “My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?”, Jesus expressed the fact that He is always in union with God the Father from whom He came from. This is also our source of confidence. Even as we struggle from day to day and even when friends abandon us, let our heart not be troubled (John 14:1) because Jesus is the Emmanuel, God with us.
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Have peace in me. Like His disciples, we may have abandoned Jesus many times over but He is still our Savior. He remains our Lord who keeps on loving us and calling to us to repent and turn back to Him. We may have trouble in this world but in Jesus, we will find real peace.
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Take Courage. The root word for courage is core meaning heart. It is the same root word of coronary. The heart is where God resides. Thus to take courage is to connect with God who is almighty and at the same time compassionate. Saint Paul says, “If God is with us, who can be against us?”( Romans 8:31)
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I have conquered the World. Jesus did not say, I will conquer but uses the past tense which means it is already done. He is God after all. Evil may temporarily triumph and some may lose hope but Jesus had already declared victory. Let us keep the faith and let hope keep burning in us. Very soon, the enemy will be completely annihilated and Jesus will be the ultimate ruler of everything.
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Do you believe now? Previously, Jesus chastised His disciples for having little faith but little by little, they were beginning to understand the words of Jesus and in verse 30 of the gospel above, they expressed their faith that Jesus came from God. This is a lesson for all of us. It may take a longer time for some of us to develop faith but the Holy Spirit will later pour out His gifts to us. Let us be patient and pray for one another.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I believe in you. I trust in your power and love. Thank you for the gift of faith. I pray for patience and guidance so that I may remain faithful even as I struggle day by day amidst the trouble of this world. Amen.
