Reflections on Scripture | Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel
John 15:26-16:4a

Jesus said to his disciples:
"When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father,
he will testify to me.
And you also testify,
because you have been with me from the beginning.

"I have told you this so that you may not fall away.
They will expel you from the synagogues;
in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you
will think he is offering worship to God.
They will do this because they have not known either the  Father or me.
I have told you this so that when their hour comes
you may remember that I told you.”

Reflection

Jesus calls us to be aware of one of the things we're called to be in this world. People who give testimony, people who speak a truth, and their life testifies to this truth that they're living. And yet we know that when that truth is being lived fully in the world, it is open to persecution. And it's interesting in this reading where Jesus is saying to the disciples, when that time comes, remember this.

Remember I told you that it would be difficult, it would be hard, but know that this is the process. Our testifying is risky in the world that is opposed to everything God is calling us to become.

Closing Prayer

Jesus reminds us that there will be times, even though we are convinced of the things that we have learned from him, that we may fall away. And the falling away is part of the process. It means that we are in a place where we might be drawn to doubt or to worry that we're off track. But then what he's saying to us over and over again is that I am going to be there. My my spirit of wisdom is in you and it will survive and it will conquer. Help us to trust in this promise. And we ask this in Jesus name, Amen.

Reflections Archives

Kyle Cross