Gospel Reading: John 16:29-33

29 Then his disciples said to him, “Now you are speaking plainly, without using figures of speech.

30 We know now that you know everything; you do not need to have someone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”

31 Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now?

32 The time is coming, and is already here, when all of you will be scattered, each of you to your own home, and I will be left all alone. But I am not really alone, because the Father is with me.

33 I have told you this so that you will have peace by being united to me. The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world!”

Reflection:

“The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world!”

         

Jesus Christ warns us that the world is full of many challenges. Challenges that will make us feeling down, depressed and lose heart. But always remember that everything that happens in our life is part of God’s plan. Every problem is a test of our faith. How long are we going to be patient? How deep is our perseverance to solve the problem? We learn new things every time we encounter problem and that is the gift of wisdom. Wisdom comes from experiences.

          God wants us to be strong and brave enough to face the challenges because God has already defeated the world. He wants us to surpass the challenges by obeying His will. Face it all with confidence, because God is always with us. With the power of His name, nothing can put us down.

Gospel Reading: John 17:11-19

11 And now I am coming to you; I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world. Holy Father! Keep them safe by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one just as you and I are one.

12 While I was with them, I kept them safe by the power of your name, the name you gave me. I protected them, and not one of them was lost, except the man who was bound to be lost—so that the scripture might come true.

13 And now I am coming to you, and I say these things in the world so that they might have my joy in their hearts in all its fullness.

14 I gave them your message, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.

15 I do not ask you to take them out of the world, but I do ask you to keep them safe from the Evil One. 16 Just as I do not belong to the world, they do not belong to the world.

17 Dedicate them to yourself by means of the truth; your word is truth.

18 I sent them into the world, just as you sent me into the world.

19 And for their sake I dedicate myself to you, in order that they, too, may be truly dedicated to you.

Reflection:

          In the gospel reading, Jesus Christ gave His last words to the Father before He ascended into heaven. Christ wants us to be safe by the power of God’s name. He wants us to be united as one just like God the Father and the Son. Jesus wants us to be safe from evil. He dedicated Himself to God the Father to be an example for us to be truly dedicated also.

          Jesus wants everyone to receive the best for them. We may sometimes think that He gives the worst, but be aware that every little thing contributes for a change in our life. Our life is part of God’s plan. Everything that happens in our everyday life contributes to our future. God wants us to serve in His community, to repent and to lay up our life for Him. He wants us to share in His glory. Let us proclaim the good news of the Lord, and let the kingdom of God reign.

John 16:5-11

5 But now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me where I am going.

6 And now that I have told you, your hearts are full of sadness. 

7 But I am telling you the truth: it is better for you that I go away, because if I do not go, the Helper will not come to you. But if I do go away, then I will send him to you. 

8 And when he comes, he will prove to the people of the world that they are wrong about sin and about what is right and about God's judgment. 

9 They are wrong about sin, because they do not believe in me; 

10 they are wrong about what is right, because I am going to the Father and you will not see me anymore; 

11 and they are wrong about judgment, because the ruler of this world has already been judged.

                                                                                                                                        

Reflection:

“And when he comes, he will prove to the people of the world that they are wrong about sin and about what is right and about God's judgment.” 

On the judgment day, God will prove what is wrong and what is right. He will reveal the way how God judges the living and the dead.

People judge others by the way they look, the color, race and even in their mistakes. In the way how others act in a certain situation and sadly, their status in life. God judges what is in the heart. On how clean is his/her conscience or on how sincere is his/her apology and repentance. If someone committed a sin, God sees not what he did but the reason behind.

Even Jesus Christ our Lord, does not receive any exemption. The Jews never believe that Christ was the one who is sent to be our savior, because He was raised by a carpenter. In finding the way to God, we can rely on a saying, ”The ones who raises himself up will be down, and those who has humility will be raised up. 

Matthew 11:25-30

25 At that time Jesus said, “Father, Lord of heaven and earth! I thank you because you have shown to the unlearned what you have hidden from the wise and learned.  

26 Yes, Father, this was how you were pleased to have it happen.

27 “My Father has given me all things. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

28 “Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest.

30 For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light.”

Reflection:

          Our Lord Jesus Christ gave thanks to the Father. For all the gifts He gave. For raising the humble ones up and putting the arrogant down. Jesus calls everyone who is tired from carrying heavy loads or sacrificing because he will give them rest and a life that is full of love. Bring you to a place that everyone knows how to appreciate, love, and forgive where you can be happy. Whoever wants to be with God will take His way, reflect on His words. Be like Him who is gentle and humble. Every challenge or test that He will give us can be resolved and the tasks He will give are ways to eternal life.