Word to the Wise
Monday, June 2, 2025 - 7th Week of Easter - Mon
[Acts 19:1-8 and John 16:29-33]"Now you are speaking 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 quite alone....." [John]
One might justly wonder if there is some unintended dramatic irony in the statement of the disciples to the effect that they think Jesus is (finally) speaking clearly! The Last Supper discourse is not a logical treatise but a collection of sayings attributed to Jesus by the community that kept his memory. What does seem clear and is supported in the other three gospels is that the disciples were not as brave as they thought they were at the time, and this included Peter, whose fear would be dramatized in the courtyard of the high priest after Jesus' arrest. It will take the gift of the Holy Spirit (which we will celebrate next Sunday) to galvanize them into placing their lives on the line. In the Garden of Gethsemane, they would run like scared rabbits and eventually wind up hiding in a room together.
We have received that same Holy Spirit through Baptism/Confirmation. Are we ever afraid of our safety because of what we believe? In some places on this planet, people might justifiably feel that way. In the USA, there was once a time in our history when it could be dangerous to be a Catholic, at least. In our own country, what reason could we have to be afraid because of our religious belief? Religious prejudice does exist and there are circumstances when Catholics wish they could hide!
The point of all of this is to recognize that Jesus is aware of our fears. Grace builds on nature, as St. Thomas Aquinas teaches us, and there are times when our fears can make the work of grace difficult. Our protests of loyalty to the end can fall victim to our fears just as when Peter began to sink when walking on the water. [Matt. 14:22-33] or when he was questioned in the courtyard. So, we are in the same company! The celebration of Pentecost next Sunday can remind us of the resource that Jesus promises when our faith is tested - the Holy Spirit. AMEN