The disciples said to Jesus, “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.” (Jn 16:29-33)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/053022.cfm
To have peace in Christ doesn’t mean that we will have peace in the world, just the opposite. But let’s hope that troubles come for doing something good like feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, advocating for prisoners and the sick, protecting children, and standing against gun violence. As Pope Francis said to the young people of Latin America in 2013: “Make trouble! (Hagan Lío)” What he meant of course is don’t be indifferent before injustice and before the many problems facing this world. Like John Lewis used to challenge people: Make “good trouble.”
These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Monday, Week VII, Easter
