We have just heard Jesus say two very important things: that "the ruler of the world is coming for me, but has no power over me;" and that" I voluntarily go through with what the Father has commanded me to do:" save souls, save lives, save people for him.
Sometimes I suppose it is easy to think that this was some kind of an evenly matched battle that was going to take place on Good Friday: and it was anyone's guess as to who would be victorious. This is not so. Jesus was going to win: the power of evil is like a "puff of smoke" compared with the mighty power of God! But Jesus had to go through the enormously painful motion of such a brutal death – to accomplish our redemption. Remember, after Pope John Paul II viewed Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ" he said: "[This] is as it was!" It was an incredibly agonizing experience for Jesus!
We hear Jesus often speak of the fact that his "sent-ones" – his Apostles – and disciples – would in a similar way be treated – even some to the point of an agonizing death - as witness to their faith – but that they would experience the amazing "gift of peace" through it all – of which he speaks in the gospel passage today! Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. And so even in the midst of your persecution I will be there will my peace to carry you through so you can do what our Father has in mind for you to do in this particular situation!
In the first reading we see Paul and Barnabas out in the Gentile – Greek-speaking world preaching the Gospel of Jesus – but being countered by conservative Jews who wanted nothing to do with their message: they stoned Paul and left him for dead; but the peace of Christ was with Paul, and the strength of the Holy Spirit – and he got up off the ground and proceeded with Barnabas to more cities in the area: going on to Pisidia and Pamphylia; Perga and Attalia – and finally to Antioch. The grace and peace of God worked through them both as they brought the faith to the Gentiles – as was the will of the Father.
You and I have been called by God to bring his message to someone today: either for the first time; or as a reminder. The message is: JESUS IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD and this makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD – for everyone – believers and non-believers alike! both for now, and for later – for what lies beyond death's door for us! His death is our death; and his resurrection and life, are our resurrection and abundant newness of life forever!
What a wonderful message we have to ponder on today ourselves, and to share with others: and all of this is fact, not opinion, or some kind of limited fiction – it is reliable, always valid, licit and substantive TRUTH!
We are called to be God's friends: and to make known the glorious splendor of his Kingdom – as it begins here and now, and will blossom into fullness and completeness one day in the future, in the Kingdom fully revealed!
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