DAILY GRACE
May 26, 2020, Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Scripture: John 16:29-33
His disciples said, ‘Yes, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure of speech! Now we know that you know all things, and do not need to have anyone question you; by this we believe that you came from God.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Do you now 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 because the Father is with me. I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!’
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Meditation
“‘Now you are speaking plainly. . . .”
At the Last Supper the disciples say they believe Jesus has come from God, but their faith is still weak. They don’t realize their need for God to enlighten them with the Spirit of Truth. Jesus limits what he shares with them, using figures of speech, because he knows they cannot handle everything he wants to tell them. He tells them that his Father is always with him; that the and his Father are one. He promises them the gifts of understanding, joy, and peace, but in the future. Because of their faith is not yet deeply rooted in him, Jesus knows they cannot take in the reality of his coming sufferings. Nor can they conceive of how they will desert him. When Jesus tells them of his departure, his disillusioned disciples think he is promising them something right now. Sadly, he predicts they will scatter and leave him to suffer alone.
On the brink of his passion Jesus warns his disciples that they will face persecution. But he offers himself as the key for living in peace. Their faith in him will become unshakeable only when the Spirit of Truth comes upon them. Then their faith will be founded on God’s mercy and love for them rather than on their own abilities.
Prayer
Lord, it is consoling to know that you have conquered the world and offer yourself as our peace! When we face sufferings that we find unbearable, you help us to survive and indeed to overcome. Let us see our occasions of suffering as you see them. May nothing shake our faith in you, so that we may always find our peace in you.
Contemplation
“In me you may have peace.”