A TIME OF CHALLENGE

Was there ever such a challenging world as in the age that we live in now? Perhaps this same question is asked by people facing the challenges of the world in every age. It could certainly be a question in the minds of the Apostles who, when we meet them in today’s Gospel reading, are joined together at the Last Supper with their Lord.

Jesus had just told them that soon he would be leaving them and that where he was going, they could not follow. Peter had remonstrated with him, declaring that he would always follow him and would even be prepared to die for his Lord, to which Jesus had replied, ‘Will you lay down your life for me?’ We know how Peter, when put to the challenge, fails. He does not follow his Lord to Calvary; rather he denies even knowing him and, much to his regret, runs away.

Jesus knows that, when we are faced with difficulties in life, we can find it hard to live the life we want to live, as we try to follow in his footsteps, such are the challenges that the world throws at us. And yet he says to his disciples: ‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments’.

Is this a deliberate challenge? Jesus’ commandments are not always easy to follow or to follow through on: fight for justice – for blessed are those who fight for what is right; be innocent and loving – for blessed are the pure in heart; be peacemakers – for ‘blessed are the peacemakers’; be ready for persecution – because knowing Jesus will bring persecution – but through it, you will be blessed! However, if any of his disciples – if any of us – fail to keep Jesus’ commandments, does that mean we don’t love him?

No, of course not. Jesus knows we love him, even if we are not  always sure how to. He knows us better than we know ourselves. And he knows that, if God is with us, we cannot fail to love God, most especially through loving our neighbour.

GOD GIVES US HELP

As for the disciples, they do their best to love Jesus but are fearful of the days ahead. So, Jesus says to them, ‘I will ask the Father, and he will send you the Spirit of Truth, who will be your helper, and he will be with you always.’

This promise to send the Holy Spirit into the lives of the Apostles is meant for us also, who are also disciples of Jesus. In a world where there is conflict and injustice, division and isolation, the challenge for us as disciples of Jesus, to love as he loved, loving both his Father and all those people we encounter, is indeed great. There are times when we may feel cut off from our Lord and powerless, when we feel isolated and full of doubt. It is then, when our troubles get the better of us, that we are to hang on to the words and promises of Jesus: you are not alone; God is with you and the Spirit is in you and will strengthen you.

IN OUR AGE

We are to be encouraged, too, by Peter, as in his letter to the Christians of Asia Minor, who are suffering persecution and exile for being followers of Christ, he urges them not to be afraid, not to be silenced, as they live a life of hope in the Lord. Indeed, they are to be always ready to share the Good News, even when persecuted for doing so, ‘for it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is God’s will, than for doing evil’.

As for us, we are to follow their example, to not be afraid of doing good, even if it brings troubles; for such were the early Christians, who in a world of turmoil, followed the Lord. For, as Peter reminds us, Christ also suffered, for the righteous and for the unrighteous, that he might bring all to God.

In our present age, both locally and globally, we certainly face challenges and might even meet with persecution, if we seek to address the needs of the poor, to uphold the dignity of the vulnerable, to bring healing and justice to the oppressed, and to work towards the end of conflict between nations. But let us not be afraid, let us always do what is good, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, let us lead all whom we encounter to the everlasting mercy of the Father. And in the fullness of time, in faith and hope and love, may we be embraced by Jesus, and hear the words, ‘I know you love me because you have kept my commandments’.