“Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived
when each of you will be scattered to his own home
and you will leave me alone.”

john 16:32

John 16:29-33

Reflection

The disciples tell Jesus they now realize he knows everything and truly believe in him. Jesus responds by saying they will be scattered and leave him alone, yet he is not alone because the Father is with him. Jesus acknowledges they will have trouble in the world, but because he has conquered the world, they should take courage.

Imagine Jesus telling you that you will leave him and be scattered far from him. Would you deny this statement and respond that you will never leave him? The truth is, we turn from Jesus daily and do leave him alone, standing and waiting for us to come back to him. We constantly choose something other than Jesus, thinking it might bring us more peace or joy.

Jesus is the only one who brings us true peace and joy. He tells the disciples to have peace in him, for he has conquered the world. We should take comfort in this because it helps us remember to stay with our Lord, rather than leave him. The world has nothing better to offer us, only Christ does.

Jesus never leaves us, even when we turn away from him. Reflect on how you can stay close to Christ each moment of the day, residing in his peace and love.

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Saint of the Day

Sts. Marcellinus and Peter: died AD 304

Not much is known about these saints, but they have been venerated since the early Church. They were both Christians and martyrs for the faith, although stories differ as to how they died. St. Marcellinus and St. Peter, pray for us!