Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. - John 14:1
This verse is part of the Last Supper discourses found in chapter 14 of John's Gospel. Through these discourses Jesus is preparing His disciples for his ensuing passion and death. In a way, Jesus is encouraging them much like a coach with a player before a big game or a teacher with a student before a big test. He wants them to remember all He has taught them. He needs them to trust that despite the obstacles that may come, He is never far away!
We, like the disciples, have moments where we doubt and situations where we don't have the answer. We also wonder why something has to happen the way it does and question whether we are strong enough to endure. The words Jesus spoke to his disciples over 2000 years ago are the same for us. DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED!
By letting our hearts become troubled we simply focus on what is crippling us and only see that which is wrong. This is never helpful nor redemptive. Rather, Jesus tells us to maintain faith, to trust that He is present and to remember His promise. His promise to guide, deliver, and save us!
Jesus will always be the way, the truth, and the life. And so if Jesus is the way he will offer you a path! If Jesus is the truth he will help you to discover it and be set free by it! And if Jesus be the life, He will bring you through suffering and death to newness of life!
So encouraging and true. Thank you Fr. Erik!!
ReplyDeleteMany blessings, Annette :)
Fr. Erik: What a blessing it was meeting you today after Mass. I really appreciated your homily on the perseverance and heroic virtue of Saints Peter and Paul (in spite of their own personal short comings), and how we are called to be nothing less than saints ourselves. I hope you come again soon to celebrate Mass at our parish. Hope to get a chance to chat and dialogue with you more. My family enjoyed your Mass, too! :-)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Joshua Betancourt