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June 2, 2014

The disciples who had the chance to journey and to live with Jesus had moments of confusion and difficulty in understanding the kind of life Jesus lived. However, in God’s time, the disciples realized and understood some realities, and so they said: Now you are speaking plainly and not in veiled language.” Jesus gradually revealed himself to his disciples. The disciples experienced moments of doubt and so there was the desire to be assured that Jesus came from God. We can understand what the disciples were feeling having lived with Jesus and accompanied him in his ministry. Later in Jesus’ ministry, the disciples saw and experienced the vulnerability of Jesus to threats, to persecution, rejection and ridicule. They were seeing more the human suffering of Jesus while he was awaiting his death. They needed to be assured that Jesus really came from God. Jesus understood the feeling of the disciples. So Jesus had to assure the disciples: “The Father is with me…I have told you so you may have peace.”

In our world of so many ‘unknowns’ and ‘accidents’ and “unexpected,” from whom do we get assurance? When troubled and in doubt, confused and in difficult situations, who gives us real peace? What words of assurance do we need more than these words of Jesus: “The Father is with me! … have peace… I have overcome the world! Indeed, Jesus’ Incarnation is a great assurance that God truly understands human condition. He is one with us in our struggles, and he comes to offer us assurance and peace.

There is a story of a couple who had a child they loved very much. One day they decided to call for insurance agents in order to avail of insurance plans best for their child for his future. One agent assured the couple of an insurance “from the basket to the casket”; another agent offered “from delivery to cemetery,” and the last one assured them of an insurance “from womb to tomb,” The couple asked the agents if there are other plans they can offer. All three agents told the couple there is one best insurance plan than only God can give, “from incarnation to resurrection’. It is a simple story, but so assuring for those who believe that God, the loving Father, always wants the best for all of us, so He offers Jesus from his incarnation to his resurrection.

May we find peace and assurance believing that Jesus is here with us!

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 30, Issue 4

<< Monday, June 2, 2014 >>

Sts. Marcellinus & Peter
Pentecost Novena - Day 4

Acts 19:1-8
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Psalm 68:2-7

John 16:29-33
Similar Reflections

UNQUESTIONABLE FAITH

"Do you really believe?" —John 16:31

Twelve men of Ephesus claimed to be believers (see Acts 19:2). Paul questioned this because they didn't seem to have received the Holy Spirit. As it turned out, they weren't believers in Jesus but in John the Baptizer. Thereupon, Paul explained to them about Jesus, baptized them, and laid hands on them (Acts 19:5-6). "The Holy Spirit came down on them and they began to speak in tongues and to utter prophecies" (Acts 19:6). Then there was no question that they were believers in Jesus.

Jesus' disciples said they believed that Jesus came from God (Jn 16:30). Jesus questioned this because He knew they would soon be scattered, leaving Him quite alone (Jn 16:31-32). We too are scattered and shattered into thousands of denominations and divisions. Instead of praying, receiving Communion, reading the Bible, or being with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we leave Jesus alone. This makes our faith questionable.

Through this Pentecost novena, let us receive the Holy Spirit of unity (see Eph 4:3) and of power. Then Jesus will not have to question our faith. Then He can say to us: "You have great faith!" (Mt 15:28)

Prayer: Holy Spirit, produce in me the fruit of faith (Gal 5:22). May my faith — not my lack of faith — evoke questions from those who know me.

Promise: "I tell you all this that in Me you may find peace. You will suffer in the world. But take courage! I have overcome the world." —Jn 16:33

Praise: St. Marcellinus is said to have converted not only his jailer and the jailer's family, but also his executioner.