Word to the Wise
Monday, May 25, 2020 - 7th Week of Easter - Mon
[Acts 19:1-8 and John 16:29-33]"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." [John]
How often have we instructed someone about something at length and then ask them, "Are you sure you understand?" and they reply, "Yes, yes, I understand!" only to act in a way that shows they were completely mistaken about their own understanding and about the subject!!! (That's why it can be an interesting experience to ask a parishioner after a Sunday Mass what they heard in the homily!) The disciples claim to understand what Jesus has been saying but he tells them they still have a long ways to go. The next few hours would test their faith and they would flunk the test flatly by running away! They claimed to believe that he has come from God, but not if it meant persecution!
Jesus warms them, "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." There will be times when our faith is going to be severely tested. Can we have "peace" in that faith, knowing that Jesus accompanies us through the Holy Spirit and that this will see us through? Even SAINT Peter would deny Jesus when confronted in the high priest's courtyard! Imperfect as our faith can inevitably be, we can continue to return to it and keep on following Jesus. In the world we will indeed have trouble, but we know that we have the best help available!! AMEN