Reflection on Jn 16:33
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
These are important words; we have to realize that we only have true peace in Christ. He says in another place: “The peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.” This peace is connected with a living faith, commitment to Christ, and a clear conscience. A person who does evil and has abandoned Christ can only have a false peace and never a true one.
Jesus foretells that in the world we will have tribulation. Every man on earth has tribulation and cannot escape it. It arises from a number of sources: not only from other people or from the system of the world and a certain disharmony in it, but also from our helplessness and the fact that evil works in us. We ourselves are often the authors of our own suffering. Therefore we must learn to perceive material, mental and spiritual laws, and thus acquire life wisdom. But it is mainly the Holy Spirit who gives us the light of true wisdom and enlightens us. Many times young people can have the wisdom of the elders if, as the Scriptures say, they seek to know and keep God’s Word.
Jesus says: “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world!” And in another place Scripture says: “This is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.” Faith unites us to Jesus. He Himself works through this faith and overcomes the system of the world, deceit and evil. Therefore let us lift up our hearts! Jesus is with us. He is close to us, He is in us, and we need to become aware of His presence time and again – especially through prayer stops during the day when calling on His name. Let us give thanks to Him for everything, even for afflictions. This is an act of faith, and this is actually what Psalm 119:164 expresses: “Seven times a day I praise You, because of Your righteous judgments.” In afflictions, we usually indulge in self-pity and blame God. This is not an act of faith, but rather a lack of faith. It is a sign that we have barricaded ourselves into our eis ta idia along with our unbelief, fear, self-pity and rebellion against God. It is necessary not to let these thoughts into our heart and have them a negative power over us. We have to stand firm in the faith and in this faith we should receive Mary in place of Eve. The Mother of Jesus is full of grace. She will teach us how to walk in the Holy Spirit in these situations. The will to learn is rooted in humility. This means a healthy self-criticism which makes us able to admit our mistake and not fall into depression or self-pity, but bring all our misery immediately to the cross. It is there that we should give Christ our shortcomings and sins and continue to fight the spiritual battle for God’s kingdom within us and around us.
Jesus says: “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world!” Let us realize this during those 14 days while saying the word of life.
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