Fear not! Jesus has overcome the world
Introduction
As Christians baptized in the name of Christ, we have received the Holy Spirit of fortitude. With his help, we should be able to give a place to pain and suffering in our lives. It is part anyway of all human life. Nothing good comes easy. But to Christians, suffering makes even more sense: it was Christ’s way and the disciple can accept in peace and use it for the sake of bringing peace to others. Christ will help us bear it, for he has conquered the world. Fear not!
1 Reading: Acts 19:1-8
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior of the country and down to Ephesus where he found some disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They answered him, “We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” He said, “How were you baptized?” They replied, “With the baptism of John.” Paul then said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. Altogether there were about twelve men. He entered the synagogue, and for three months debated boldly with persuasive arguments about the Kingdom of God.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab
R.(33a) Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth. or: R. Alleluia.
God arises; his enemies are scattered,
and those who hate him flee before him.
As smoke is driven away, so are they driven;
as wax melts before the fire. R.
But the just rejoice and exult before God;
they are glad and rejoice.
Sing to God, chant praise to his name;
whose name is the LORD. R.
The father of orphans and the defender of widows
is God in his holy dwelling.
God gives a home to the forsaken;
he leads forth prisoners to prosperity. R.
Alleluia, alleluia.
If then you were raised with Christ,
seek what is above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: John 16:29-33
The disciples said to Jesus, “Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now? Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”
Commentary
Today’s reading from Acts of the Apostles offers us another example of delayed catechesis. It is hard to believe that the company of twelve at Ephesus became Christian believers without knowing either of the Holy Spirit or the necessity of Christian baptism. The baptism of John, certainly widely respected, was evidently seen by some as sufficient. After learning of this erroneous idea, Paul sees to their baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit becomes part of their lives.
There may be more to this issue than meets the eye. It may well have been that there were disciples who saw John’s mission as “parallel” to Jesus’ mission, with a certain level of equality between the two. This may go some way in explaining something else. The Gospels are at pains to honour John but also to emphasize his inferior status to that of Jesus. Behind all of this may well have been champions of John who were overstating his case.
In the Gospel today, Jesus tells his disciples that they will too be scattered and be left to endure his passion alone. But suffering will be their lot as well. Yet confidence and trust remain the order of the day. The world is set against Jesus and his followers. But fear not! He has overcome the world.
An incomplete understanding of the truth of our faith is a serious concern today. Many of those people today whose faith is firm and had their education complete learned their religion at an early age. Today the majority of our children are not in Catholic schools. Their religious instruction is limited to one hour a week, in afterschool hours. It is often geared solely to their reception of the sacraments. It is seldom a high priority. Parents and Catholic educators have to see this as a major responsibility. Fr O’Hare has an outfit in Ibadan called “Pass on the Faith”. At times he appears as a lone and distant voice even among colleagues.
The education and formation of the young is a matter of major importance. It is essential to the transmission of the faith and must be a high priority for parents and for all those who seek to positively shape the minds and souls of children.
Blessing
When Jesus died on the cross and rose again, the world was changed, death and sin were defeated. But we have still to make this true today. Justice and love must still triumph in us today. Let the Spirit commit us to do this today, and may Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!