Gospel: John 16:29-33
The disciples said to him, “Now you are speaking plainly and not in veiled language! Now we see that you know all things, even before we question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God.”Jesus answered them, “You say that you believe? The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.I have told you all this, so that in me you may have peace. You will have trouble in the world; but, courage! I have overcome the world.”

Reflections
“You say that you believe?”The apostles immediately ac­knowledge Jesus speaking no longer in a veiled language. We expect that before this happens, there is a long time gap. But in the story, right after Jesus promises not to speak in veiled language anymore (Saturday’s reading), everything becomes clear to the disciples.The apostles come to be­lieve that he comes from the Father. Yet Jesus knows they do not know the whole picture yet. Their belief is still flawed be­ cause Jesus’ story is not yet com­pletely revealed. Jesus predicts the apostles will be scattered when crisis comes. They will not stay with him when he will be put on trial.For Jesus, this is no cause for worry because the Father is with him. He can surpass the trouble he is facing. Likewise, the disci­ples should not worry because the world will never overcome him. Truly, at the beginning of John’s gospel, it says that Je­sus is the light that overcomes darkness. The darkness has not overcome the light. Therefore, his disciples must take courage.We Christians can under­stand the language of God as long as we believe. St. Augustine once said, “Believe that you may understand.” It is not the other way around.
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