Posted by The WORD in other words (2023) by Fr Louie Punzalan SVD – Christ the King Seminary, Quezon City
Monday 7th Week of Easter
“In the world you will have trouble, but take courage. I have conquered the world.”
If you know the song by Simon Garfunkel entitled “Bridge Over Troubled Waters”, a part of the song says: “When you’re weary, feeling small; When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all. I’m on your side, Oh, when times get rough…”
The Gospel reading is one of the several occasions in which Jesus bluntly counseled the disciples that despite their faith, the hour was coming when the disciples would abandon the Master. They would leave Jesus alone and desolate. Jesus was extraordinarily honest. He knew the weaknesses of each of his apostles. Jesus knew that they would let him down in the moment of his dreadful need. And yet Jesus still loved them, and more wonderfully, Jesus still trusted them.
The apostles would witness what the world could do to Jesus. His enemies would hang him on a tree. But Jesus assured the apostles, My final victory will also be your victory. The world did its worst to me, but I emerged victorious in the end. Life can do its worst to you too, and you too will end up victorious. You too could possess the courage and the conquest of the Cross… Do not be afraid… “Take courage I have conquered the world.” (John 16,33)
Saint Paul said it more eloquently, “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8. 38-39).
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