MONDAY MAY 13, 2024
MONDAY OF THE SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTER B
Acts 19: 1-8
John 16:29-33
THE WORLD IS FULL OF TRIBULATIONS BUT I WILL GIVE YOU PEACE
Against the tribulations, difficulties and problems of life, Jesus reassures his disciples that they will be granted his peace. This reassurance was necessary to settle their minds.
To think that Christianity immunes us from the problems of life and the difficulties in the world is illusory. Rather Christianity exposed us more to the difficulties of life, the challenges of good life and the scourges of people who may challenge and oppose the values we struggle to live and our lifestyles.
In the spiritual realm, Christianity brings us out to face the wrath of the devil and the scourges of men who oppose the right ways. We fight even ourselves, our appetites, our characters, our sensual body, relationships we hold and the external world’s hatred of us. Christians battle against forces of darkness which tend to pull us away from our desired goals of holiness, living faithful lives in Christ and being upright in behavior.
The good news is that, Jesus promises us the greatest peace that the world cannot give to counter the battle in the world. He tells us, “I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulations, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” These reassuring words of Jesus soothes our minds, giving us courage and peace.
It is a peace that calms our mind in the midst of these problems, a peace that elicits courageous witnessing. It gives hope in our struggles and makes life worth living.
This peace of Christ is and can be found as a gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit bestows on Christians different gifts that enables us to witness and live the ideal life. It is no wonder that Paul asked those converts in today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles if they indeed received the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Paul and his companions went ahead to lay hands on these disciples, these converts to Christianity because he knows the importance, value and impact of the Holy Spirit in the Christian life. With the Holy Spirit, courage is assured, fortitude is reenforced and very many other gifts are bestowed.
We must desire to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit in our Christian journey and life. Always insistent on the power from on high.
As we continue our novena to the Holy Spirit, we implore the guidance and a new unction of the Holy Spirit into our lives and all we do so that we may be granted the gifts of Christ’s peace and salvation.
Heavenly Father, send us the power of the Holy Spirit, to lead us in our journey of life, granting us its manifold gifts to overcome the tensions, problems and tribulations in our world and restoring his peace in our lives through Christ our Lord.
Fr Norbert Uchuno
