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Meditation: John 14:27-31

Saint Bernardine of Siena

The world must know that I love the Father. (John 14:31)

It’s a natural instinct to listen carefully to a loved one’s last words as he or she approaches the moment of death. We long to receive a parting assurance of love or a special word as a legacy to guide us in the future. Imagine, then, how much we should cherish and ponder the words Jesus spoke on the last night of his life (John 14–17)!

Did you know that in these words of farewell, spoken to his closest friends, Jesus referred to “the world” almost forty times? Since he spoke of it so often—and in so many different ways—we might wonder what exactly he meant by “the world.”

In one sense, the world is all of creation (including us), which God loves deeply. Fashioned by God, the world around us and all its inhabitants reflect his creative goodness: “God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good” (Genesis 1:31). And yet, sin entered the world through disobedience, and since then the world has been under the influence of the evil one, whom Jesus called the “ruler of the world” (John 14:30). So when Scripture warns us not to love “the world,” it’s a warning not to become attached to philosophies in the world that reject or are opposed to God.

Rejecting “the world” doesn’t mean rejecting all that is good and healthy in creation or in our relationships. Neither does it mean building a wall around ourselves to avoid contamination. It means being shrewd about the voices we listen to, the way we spend our time, and the horizon that we are looking toward. If we are concerned only about the few decades we have on this earth, there is a good chance that we have become enamored of the world. But if we are living a joyful, full life in this world while keeping our hearts set on heaven, we will find the right balance.

On the cross, Jesus overcame the sin in the world. Now, he wants all of us to work with him to turn this beloved creation of his into a mirror image of his kingdom. Yes, you are his ambassador!

“Jesus, may your kingdom come! Make me into your witness so that I can help change the world.”

Acts 14:19-28; Psalm 145:10-13, 21

Regnum Christi

Danger of Slavery

U. S. A. | SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

John 14: 27-31a

Jesus said to his disciples: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ´I am going away and I will come back to you.´ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me."

Introductory Prayer: Lord, thank you for granting me the opportunity to be with you. There are things in life, Lord, that attract me, but you attract me more. I hope in you, and I love you. Maybe I don’t really understand what it means to love, and maybe I don’t love the way I should, but I do love you.

Petition: Lord, help me always to remember who I am, where I come from, and where I am going.

1. Activism: In today´s culture, many people believe, almost religiously, that what they do will eventually make them someone. They believe that from doing flows being, since their activity defines them. This makes it easy for them to be exploited. In nineteenth century America, a slave was often not told his birthday, so he could never really know who he was. He was just made to work. This same temptation exists today. Many people work such long hours — some as a means of escape from difficulties or responsibilities at home; others for the satisfaction they feel seeing a job completed; still others, just to earn more money and to be able to afford a more comfortable life. However, these are all manifestations of the same slavery.

2. My True Identity: With his example, however, Christ shows us a different way of life, a way that goes against the current. First I have to be. Then my doing will flow from my being. Christ says again and again: I am the Son of my Father. Now I will act accordingly. When Moses asked God of the burning bush who he was, he said, “I AM who AM.”

Who am I? What defines me is my relationship to God. Just imagine this: I have the privilege of being a child of God! God has loved me so much that he has adopted me as his child! This is something worthwhile. This is who I really am, and I should act accordingly, as Christ taught me.

3. True Peace: Christ´s great peace comes as a consequence of meditating on and living out who I really am. When I meditate, I discover that I am God’s creature. Suddenly, I find the strength to face reality. Others will be unable to exploit me, and I will stop exploiting others because I am – and they are – children of God. My dignity derives from this fundamental truth: I was created in God’s image and likeness. I came from God, and he is inviting me to return to him and be happy with him for all eternity.

Conversation with Christ: Lord, I have the bad habit of focusing on my doing. That is why I am always anxious. I want to be like you, Lord, seeing first who I am and letting my activity flow from that. This will bring me peace. However, Lord, I need your grace. Help me to live as a true son or daughter.

Resolution: Today, I will do two kind acts to someone who is troubled in order to help them experience God’s love for them.