Take Courage

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/052917.cfm) reminds me that as followers of Christ, we should take courage in Him. 

In school, upper class students are usually effective tutors and guides. This is because they themselves have experienced what the lower class students are going through. Not only have they experienced, they have overcome as well, so they have powerful stories to share about their experiences, and tips on how to win over the challenges. This is what Jesus has done. He experienced the things we are experiencing, so we can take inspiration from him and look up to him. 

Jesus knows what you are going through. And he knows how to get you through it. 

Jesus is not the ruler of the world. He has told his disciples a lot of times that the enemy is the ruler of the world. But Jesus has conquered the world. In the gospel we see Jesus reminding his disciples, as he is reminding us today, that He has conquered the world. 

"In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

Jesus experienced a lot of challenges and troubles while doing God’s work on earth, but he did not lose his focus. Saints also experienced persecution and hardships for Jesus. However, they remained focused on Jesus, they remained focused on serving God.

We all have problems. We all have concerns. And as followers of Christ, we experience extra challenges in life, as we are not in the team of the king of the world. However, Jesus reminds us that we should just continue to trust in him, he may not be the ruler of the world, but he conquered, he is more powerful than the ruler of the world. 

Being on God's team may not exempt us from challenges, problems and persecutions of the world..but it gives us a very powerful support and protection as we face these things. 

May we always look to God and take courage and inspiration from Him, especially when faced with the challenges of the world. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another monday. Thank you for another week. Lord, thank you for the reminder that you have conquered the world. Sorry for the times I lose my faith and focus in you. Sorry for giving up. As I live for you, I just have faith that you will always be there, and I know I am safe because you are bigger and more powerful than my problems and the enemy. I take courage and look up to you for you know what I am going through and you know what to do. I trust in you. Guide me and lead the way. Amen.

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

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May 29, 2017
Monday of the Seventh Week of EasterLectionary: 297

Reading 1ACTS 19:1-8

While Apollos was in Corinth,
Paul traveled through the interior of the country
and down to Ephesus where he found some disciples. 
He said to them,
"Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?"
They answered him,
"We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."
He said, "How were you baptized?"
They replied, "With the baptism of John."
Paul then said, "John baptized with a baptism of repentance,
telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him,
that is, in Jesus."
When they heard this,
they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
And when Paul laid his hands on them,
the Holy Spirit came upon them,
and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
Altogether there were about twelve men.

He entered the synagogue, and for three months debated boldly
with persuasive arguments about the Kingdom of God. 

Responsorial PsalmPS 68:2-3AB, 4-5ACD, 6-7AB

R. (33a) Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
God arises; his enemies are scattered,
and those who hate him flee before him.
As smoke is driven away, so are they driven;
as wax melts before the fire. 
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
But the just rejoice and exult before God;
they are glad and rejoice.
Sing to God, chant praise to his name;
whose name is the LORD. 
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The father of orphans and the defender of widows
is God in his holy dwelling.
God gives a home to the forsaken;
he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

AlleluiaCOL 3:1

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If then you were raised with Christ,
seek what is above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelJN 16:29-33

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."