Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter, May 6, 2024

Gospel

John 15:26—16:4a

Jesus said to his disciples:

"When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father,

the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father,

he will testify to me.

And you also testify,

because you have been with me from the beginning.

"I have told you this so that you may not fall away.

They will expel you from the synagogues;

in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you

will think he is offering worship to God.

They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me.

I have told you this so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you."

Reflection

What hit me hardest in this Gospel was the sobering warning Jesus gives about the trials his followers will face…“They will expel you from the synagogues, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God. They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me”. Jesus forewarns them of some of the persecution they would endure, but what was particularly upsetting was His warning that those who persecute them would wrongly believe they are serving God in doing so. It's a stark reminder of the depths of misunderstanding and misguided zeal that can exist, even in matters of faith.

In contemplating this, I was reminded of Jesus's words on the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”. As we plea for understanding and mercy in situations like this, with these words Jesus recognizes the ignorance that often comes with hostility and persecution. The relevance of these words extend beyond the immediate context of Jesus's disciples to encompass all who follow Him.

In a world where faith can be met with hostility or indifference, Jesus's message offers solace and encouragement. He doesn't promise an easy path but assures his followers that he has foreseen their struggles and prepares them to endure. Jesus's words aren't meant to instill fear but rather to fortify their faith and resolve. They serve as a reminder that, even in the face of opposition, their faithfulness to God's plan for them is what matters.