Gospel Reading for April 30, 2024 – John 14: 27-31a
REASSURANCE
Jesus said to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.”
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“Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’” The disciples needed a lot of REASSURANCE if they were to continue what Jesus started because after what happened to Jesus, they had gone into hiding. They were so afraid to be found and persecuted too. With Jesus no longer around, it would be so much more difficult for them. But, God’s plans are always perfect. He sent his Holy Spirit at Pentecost to provide us with everything we need to remain faithful to the teachings of Jesus and to make him known throughout the world, so that despite the relentless efforts of the devil, evil will not prevail in our world.
Lord Jesus, by loving you, may we always find peace in our hearts whatever situation we may find ourselves in!
