Monday, May 17, 2021 - Seventh week of Paschal Time - If you are risen with Christ, seek the realities from above: this is where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God - Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 16, 29-33

The gospel presented to us is a conversation that Jesus' disciples had with him before his death. In this Jesus exhorts before separating from his disciples, but these seem so confused, saddened that they no longer see their Lord, that they confess that he knows all things and believe that Jesus has come out of God. They had been with him for years before they got to this point. Their faith is not yet well rooted, because shortly after, during the passion of the Lord, the disciples dispersed each on their own, leaving Jesus alone. It should be noted that they have not yet realized it even though it had been predicted to them, their hearts seemed callous, their eyes blind, their mind numb.

Then it is also very common that we run away in times of difficulty, not wanting to be seen as accomplices, not wanting to be taken last, leaving only those who are dear to us. But Jesus is not alone here, the Father is in him, he is doing the work of the Father. God never abandons us, it is we who seek to distance ourselves from him. This is the image that Jesus Christ gives left alone in the church, in the tabernacle, at the hour when we go about our business. But he is not alone. So faced with this pandemic, he is among us, suffering with each of us, making himself our accomplice, except for sin. He knows, he feels our distress; but we have to endure to be victorious with him, going through Good Friday before celebrating Easter, for it is not easy to win the peace that he brings. The Gospel clearly concludes: "In the world, you have to suffer, but be courageous! I, I conquer the world". He endured trials, passed through death; but conquered and rose again, and we will continue to celebrate it. His words are our strength in the face of our current trials. Amen.