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 16:5-11

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Now I am going to the one who sent me,
and not one of you asks me, 'Where are you going?'
But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts.
But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go.
For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you.
But if I go, I will send him to you.
And when he comes he will convict the world
in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation:
sin, because they do not believe in me;
righteousness, because I am going to the Father
and you will no longer see me;
condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.”

Reflection

I can't imagine how the disciples felt when Jesus said that he was going to leave them. And it was so traumatic that they couldn't even ask any more information about it because they didn't even want to face that issue. And yet what Jesus is saying to them is so important for all of us to understand, is that even though He has left in the flesh, and is now with the father, that there is this presence of Jesus and the Father called the Holy Spirit, and it dwells in our hearts and it will be successful.

There is no way that the enemy is going to win this battle. And that brings us hope. The very thing the disciples longed for and finally received when the spirit wisdom was poured out in them at Pentecost.

Closing Prayer

Father, there's times when we feel that the darkness is winning. And it’s at those times we must look for the wisdom that we're asked to find in the struggle that's going on in the world and to see somehow the plan of God unfolding, and it always will unfold in the direction of light and truth. That's his promise. And we must never doubt it. And we ask this in Jesus name, Amen.

Reflections Archives