THE CROSS AND THE DISCIPLE

May 17, Monday

 

SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTER

 

As Christians baptized in the name of Christ, we have received the Holy Spirit of fortitude. With his help, we should be able to give a place to pain and suffering in our lives. It is part anyway of all human life. But to Christians, it makes even more sense: it was Christ’s way and the disciple can accept in peace and use it for the sake of bringing peace to others. Christ will help us bear it, for he has conquered the world.

 

First Reading: Acts 19:1-8

Now, it happened that while Apollos was away in Corinth, Paul made his way down through the mountains, came to Ephesus, and happened on some disciples there. The first thing he said was, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? Did you take God into your mind only, or did you also embrace him with your heart? Did he get inside you?”

“We’ve never even heard of that—a Holy Spirit? God within us?”

“How were you baptized, then?” asked Paul.

“In John’s baptism.”

“That explains it,” said Paul. “John preached a baptism of radical life-change so that people would be ready to receive the One coming after him, who turned out to be Jesus. If you’ve been baptized in John’s baptism, you’re ready now for the real thing, for Jesus.”

And they were. As soon as they heard of it, they were baptized in the name of the Master Jesus. Paul put his hands on their heads and the Holy Spirit entered them. From that moment on, they were praising God in tongues and talking about God’s actions. Altogether there were about twelve people there that day.

Paul then went straight to the meeting place. He had the run of the place for three months, doing his best to make the things of the kingdom of God real and convincing to them.

 

Gospel: John 16:29-33

His disciples said, “Finally! You’re giving it to us straight, in plain talk—no more figures of speech. Now we know that you know everything—it all comes together in you. You won’t have to put up with our questions anymore. We’re convinced you came from God.”

Jesus answered them, “Do you finally believe? In fact, you’re about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me. I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”

 

Prayer

Lord, our God,
when your Son Jesus had to pass through trials,
he knew that you were with him
and he committed himself into your hands.
In this way, he brought peace to people.
As people baptized into his name,
let your Spirit help us to be brave
when suffering and difficulties come our way,
that, like your Son and with him,
we may overcome evil in ourselves
and in the world.
May our pains give birth
to love and peace and hope for others.
We ask you this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 

Reflection:

Trust 

With the celebration of the Ascension of the Lord we enter the seventh week of Easter time. The liturgy of the Word will prepare us for the solemnity of Pentecost. It is a favourable time to dispose our hearts, and open ourselves to the Spirit of Jesus to act in us. We can’t just remain staring at the sky with our arms folded. It is urgent that we rekindle in us the fire of the Spirit that impels us to make the presence of Jesus alive, and to continue the mission of bringing the joy of the Gospel everywhere and alleviating the suffering of our world. That is the function of the Holy Spirit.

In today’s Gospel we are presented with the conclusion of Jesus’ so-called “Farewell Address”. The final verse of the speech gives us a fundamental clue to the mission of the disciples that awaits them: “I have told you about this, so that you may find peace in me. In the world you will have struggles; but have courage: I have conquered the world”. The Risen Lord always brings peace that comes from his intimate communion with the Father.

In saying goodbye to his disciples, Jesus invites them once again to have confidence. Despite the trials and difficulties you will have, you should not be discouraged. Christ has conquered the world! This conviction today should encourage us too. We continue to have trials and difficulties. The situation in our world so affected by the global pandemic, wars, violence, corruption, and so on brings up a sense of hopelessness. It is in these testing times, that the words of Jesus have a particular force. They comfort us, they give us comfort, they strengthen us to keep walking. That is the function of the Holy Spirit that continues to act more than we can imagine.

In today’s Gospel we see a note of irony. The disciples thought that now they have understood everything. Little did they know that their knowledge was so shallow. They still had much to learn, starting from their imminent encounter with their own weakness. They would be “scattered, each one to his home.” But scattering would soon to be the order of the day. The disciples would be sent out “to the whole world.”

By means of the farewell Discourse, John seeks to reassure the members of his community who were bearing the daily burden of opposition and exclusion. Jesus’ proclamation, Have courage, I have overcome the world, was an assurance, especially for the disciples of the time of the evangelist; and indeed it is an assurance for all of us who place our trust in him.

 

Video available on Youtube: Trust