Monday, May 9, 2005
7th Week of Easter

1st Reading: Acts 19:1-8
Gospel: John 16:29-33

The disciples said to Jesus, "Now you are speaking plainly and not in veiled language! Now we see that you know all things, even before we question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God."

Jesus answered them, "You say that you believe! The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.

"I have told you all this, so that in me you may have peace. You will have trouble in the world; but, courage! I have overcome the world."

Commentary

JESUS must repeat again and again, when the disciples are quick to think they know and understand what Jesus is saying. Without the gift of the Spirit, they are on their own and cannot know the depth of what is happening, to Jesus or what will happen to them in time. Without this gift we too are glib in our belief, quick to respond without understanding and just as quick to scatter at the slightest sign of trouble. Jesus is patient, but his time is running out and he is desperately trying to make them see-he is going to die and they will all run from him, run from the cross, from giving witness to him and to acknowledging that he is their Master, their Lord and their God. He will be alone with his Father. He tells them, and us that we will have his peace in his Word, yet we're going to have trouble in the world-as did he and we will need his courage-the gift of his own Spirit. This is what we wait for-the courage of God, Jesus' own Spirit.

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