John 16:29-33 NRSVue
29His disciples said, “Yes, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure of speech! 30Now we know that you know all things and do not need to have anyone question you; by this we believe that you came from God.” 31Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. 33I have said this to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution, but take courage: I have conquered the world!”
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Reflection on John 16:29-33
Inspiration from 2025-06-02 Daily Prayer
By his victory over sin and death Christ has overcome every obstacle and difficulty that we can encounter on this earth. He has won every grace that we can ever need. We share fully in his victory, and we already know that where he has gone, we will go too, if we remain faithful to him. This is the source of our peace and our courage.
Further reflection
There is a slightly manic tinge about the disciples' speech. Jesus looks into their hearts and brings them back to the grim realities that he and they face. He knows how they will fail - you will leave me alone - and he loves them as they are, promises them peace, and urges them to courage.
Lord you have no illusions about my fallible heart but you promise peace to me too.
These words of Jesus are the foundation and basis for Christian hope. Our hope in life is based on the victory of Jesus over death, and on his ongoing presence in our lives. His is a saving and energising presence, and it gives the courage and conviction we develop in prayer. He has conquered anything that can make for discouragement and despair.
We are brought back to the events which would result in the crucifixion. To remember this central mystery is life-giving as it gives hope and courage to the disciples in their times of persecution. The conviction that the Father is with Jesus always is shared with all of us - God is always with us, always near, always on our side.
The prospect of being alone was not daunting to Jesus; he knew that his Father was with him. I pray that I may grow in awareness of God's presence to me, of God's indwelling in me.