Word to the Wise
Monday, May 9, 2016 - 7th Week of Easter - Mon
[Acts 19:1-8 and John 16:29-33,371]"Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. 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." Jesus answered them, "Do you believe now? 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. 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." [John]
The winding sentences of the "farewell discourse" don't always seem like plain speech to the reader! In any case, the profession of faith by the disciples: "Because of this we believe that you came from God," is accompanied by Jesus' repsonse that they will turn tail and run. Their fear of arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane would be only one of their troubles in the world. Jesus invites them to put their trust in him because he has "conquered the world."
Ultimate trust is not easy to give. It must arise from a fundamental faith. The whole Gospel of John is an invitation to faith in the one whom God has sent - the One who became flesh and dwelled among us. The "world" is a large reality of non-belief or troubles that can overwhelm us at times. Maintaining that faith in the face of those troubles was the tak of the early disciples who faced persecution. Perhaps our troubles may be different from theirs, but the challenge is the same. Even if we run away at times we know that Jesus will call us back to have peace in him. AMEN