“Be brave I have conquered the world.”
We might look at the world today and despair. I won’t go through the litany of sins that might lead us think that evil might overcome good, but we just have to look at the way we treat each other from conception to natural end in so many ways, the way that we are intolerant of each other and the way that we disregard God or think that we are a more superior being for us to see how wrong we are getting life on this earth.
And that’s the point: we are getting it wrong. It is one of the great mysteries of the love of God for his creation that he has given us free will to do both right and wrong. Without such free will we would be puppets or play things of a God who uses us for his amusement. But that is far from the truth.
Each and every one of us is loved by God and he despairs when we abuse his holy name or we hate each other or destroy life. But he knows that we have also the infinite power of good in us; after all, we are made in his image. So we should not despair but look at the good in the world and rejoice in that.
We might feel scattered when issues affect us, but we are not alone. Jesus is with the Father and he has sent the Holy Spirit to be with us to guide us, guard us and give us peace.
And with the Holy Spirit we can be brave; we can find peace.
It is a question as to what peace we mean. If we wish a peace where the world automatically is Catholic and we are not impacted by sin and division, then we are living with unachievable expectations, but if we yearn for a peace where we at peace with God and with our neighbours because we love them and we give ourselves for them, then our witness will shine like a light in the dark; we be a sign to others of the greatness of God and, in our way, challenge those who hate or fear the Lord our God.
Let’s go and be brave.
Gospel John 16:29-33 ©
His disciples said to Jesus, ‘Now you are speaking plainly and not using metaphors! Now we see that you know everything, and do not have to wait for questions to be put into words; because of this we believe that you came from God.’
Jesus answered them:
‘Do you believe at last?
Listen; the time will come – in fact it has come already –
when you will be scattered,
each going his own way and leaving me alone.
And yet I am not alone,
because the Father is with me.
I have told you all this
so that you may find peace in me.
In the world you will have trouble,
but be brave: I have conquered the world.’
