Jesus mentions twice in today's Gospel reading that He told the apostles something in advance. First, Jesus warns them that He told them "all this" so that their faith may not be shaken under worldly pressure, and therefore they may not fall away (Jn 16:1). What does "all this" refer to? Jesus had just finished warning His apostles that worldly people would hate, harass, and disrespect them. Why? Jesus says it's because they bear witness to Him and because they don't belong to the worldly system which refuses to accept His lordship (Jn 15:18-20). Jesus knew His apostles would be tempted to give up under this pressure, and so He warned them in advance (Jn 16:1).
First the apostles experience only threats and hatred. Jesus warns that the hatred will soon escalate into physical violence. Jesus warns them that when being beaten and even when about to be martyred, they must remember He had forewarned them (Jn 16:4). This remembrance is more than just recalling Jesus' warning. They must constantly live in a state of remembrance. Jesus gave these commands during the Last Supper, the first Mass, in which He commanded: "Do this in remembrance of me" (see Lk 22:19).
Is the world putting the pressure on you for witnessing to Jesus by your words, actions, and lifestyle? Keep your faith unshakable. Go to Mass frequently, even daily. Remember that "Christ suffered in the flesh; therefore arm yourselves with His same mentality" (1 Pt 4:1).
| PRAYER: | "O Lord, look at the threats they are leveling against us. Grant to Your servants, even as [we] speak Your words, complete assurance by stretching forth Your hand in cures and signs and wonders to be worked in the name of Jesus" (Acts 4:29-30). |
| PROMISE: | "The Lord loves His people." –Ps 149:4 |
| PRAISE: | St. Damien spent his final sixteen years ministering to a leper colony, and lived his last four years as a leper himself (see Jn 15:13). |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College