Acts 19:1-8 / Jn 16:29-33
Two months ago, I attended a burial service in which the young widow screamed at her husband's dead body, "How can I live without you?" Then I met her at the 40th-day anniversary mass, she was quite smiling and finding a way to live a new life. We need to go on. We cannot stop our life because of tribulations.
Yesterday we celebrated the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord. The readings of this week prepare us for the feast of the Pentecost that we celebrate on the forthcoming Sunday.
In the gospel reading, in the farewell discourse, Jesus tells, ‘In the world you have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.’
Jesus’ approach to suffering is very existential. He approaches suffering as part of existence. All the world religions respond to suffering in a way looking at it as a reality of our life. Suffering is a reality in our life and there is no escaping it. Since the Fall (Genesis 3), suffering has been part of the human condition. Three things are worth noting from Jesus’ words in today's gospel.
1. There is a tribulation in the world: Jesus says, you will always have trouble and suffering. The term "suffering" comes from the Greek word tlipsis; The noun ‘tlipsis’ comes from the verb ‘tlibow’ which means ‘to squeeze,’ or ‘to compress,’ or ‘to choke’ or ‘to press hard.’ Tribulation puts pressure on us. You will see the Thlipsis word in the blood pressure machine. Jesus says the trouble in your life gives you pressure in your heart. You think always about one thing, when you do not receive this, then you suffer really.
Buddhism says attachment is the root of all suffering. One is attached to people, material things, and specific outcomes and then you need to suffer. For Jesus, the attachment does not belong to this world, "I am going to leave this world."
2. Take heart: Jesus does not advise us to remove our suffering, which is not possible. Be courageous during the time of suffering. For I have conquered the world. He does not give fake hopeful sayings. You will win the sufferings. Only God can win death. We can participate in his resurrection later on his second arrival.
3. The promise of the Holy Spirit: In the first reading, Paul and his collaborators are coming to the city of Efeso which is a mountain area. Paul asked them «Did you receive the Holy Spirit?». They said, «We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit». The situation of the Catholic people is most of the time like the one of the people of Efesus. Many times this is our answer as well. The Holy Spirit is the forgotten person of the Holy Trinity. It is high time that we thought of him, sought him, and owned him. Holy Spirit strengthens us, encourages us and supports us.
As we prepare ourselves for the Feast of the Pentecost let us pray for the gift of courage amidst tribulations. May our minds be freed from fear.
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