Word to the Wise
Monday, May 29, 2017 - 7th Week of Easter - Mon
[Acts 19:1-8 and John 16:29-33]MONDAY, MAY 29, 2017. MONDAY IN THE SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTER [Acts 19:1-8 and John 16:29-33] "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." [John] Jesus' response to the disciples' profession of faith is to predict their cowardice when he is arrested! It is going to be part of the whole drama of his "hour." "Hour" in this context is not a period of time but a particular moment in "time." We use that sense when we speak of "an idea whose time has come." We may recall at the beginning of the gospel at Cana that Jesus says, "My hour has not yet come." Now, at the Last Supper, he speaks of the hour coming and arriving. The disciples will show their weakness in the Garden of Gethsemane. Courage in the face of persecution will be a constant challenge for the early Christian community, especially before the emperor Constantine legalized Christianity in the fourth century! Even so, our Christian brothers and sisters in the MIddle East are showing great examples of courage. Perhaps we could ask ourselves this question: Is my faith worth my life? If I had been in that garden that night, would I have run for my life? AMEN