The disciples said to Jesus,
Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech.
Now we realize that you know everything
and that you do not need to have anyone question you.
Because of this 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.
The peace of the Lord be with you.
We can never be fully clear that we are doing God’s will. I was comforted by the fact that Thomas Merton once said something very similar, but he also included that it pleases God that we are trying — that we have a desire to please and serve God.
In our Gospel reading today, Jesus’s disciples, the apostles are struggling to really understand what Jesus is trying to describe. He is trying to lay out for them that they are going to experience his passion — and through his passion, resurrection and ascension. Through these acts; through this perfect sacrifice — the world will be saved. Thankfully, because of this sacrifice, we do not have to rely on our own resources to get us through the times that lay ahead.
In the reading from Acts, we see that we will be guided and assisted through the teachings that have been handed down by the apostles. We will be guided and directed through the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the encounters with God through the Sacraments. Through these gifts of the church, including this meal we’re about to share, may our minds and our spirits be quieted so that we may hear the voice of God and confidently do his work.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.