MONDAY OF THE SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTER - Jn 16:29-33 - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“ In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” (Jn 16:33)

READING OF THE DAY

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

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.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to John

Jn 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.”

MONDAY OF THE SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTER - Jn 16:29-33

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

Jesus chose to call His disciples; He lived with and among them. He showed His disciples His glory, power, and authority to increase their faith. Now, when He was about to accept death hanging on the Cross, the disciples declared only one belief: Jesus Christ is God.

When living with Jesus, the disciples were happy and joyful because God was by their side to support, protect, and defend them. But when they heard that He was about to return to God the Father, the disciples were confused and worried. Faced with that belief, Jesus continued to teach His disciples: I am about to return to God the Father and you must still be on earth. The disciples will still encounter many difficulties and hardships. No one can avoid suffering, fear, sadness, and anxiety, because while in this world, they must endure many trials and fight with Satan and the world.

Jesus foresaw the future of His disciples, so He advised them: "Take courage, I have conquered the world." This is great comfort and encouragement with all the love that God has for His disciples. For those who always believe and trust in God, they will overcome the difficulties and challenges the world brings. Look at the image of Jesus Christ and be courageous, because God the Father is always with us.

And to overcome the world, each of us must be loyal and obey God the Father absolutely, until our last breath. Believe in God the Father, who is full of power and authority. He has full power over all evil, full power over Satan, and full power over the world.

Disciples of God, listen and follow His Word: "Take courage, I have conquered the world."

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. Let us listen to her kind advice: "Make many sacrifices in order to ask for forgiveness for sinners." There are many souls falling into hell because there is no one to sacrifice and pray for them." "Dear children, pray the Rosary diligently; improve your lives; honor my Heart." Mother Mary will accept the invitation of those who love the Blessed Virgin Mary and diligently recite the Rosary. Through compassionate prayers, the Rosary helps people meditate on the life of Jesus Christ; whoever wants to enter the Kingdom of Heaven must go through Jesus Christ. He is the way to the Father, to the Kingdom of Heaven. God's word is made known to Mary, to remind and call all of God's children to live and practice what God teaches, and to carry out the invitation of Our Lady of Fatima.

Thanks be to God. Amen.