“In this world you will have trouble. But take courage! I have conquered the world.” – John 16:33

       As head of the coverage team of our media ministry for the Kerygma Conference 2013, the big inspirational event founded by Bo Sanchez, Kristine Mutuc was supposed to attend the Servants’ Empowerment Gathering, the teambuilding event of the conference, scheduled on November 9, 2013.

       Kristine could not attend the gathering because she had a previous engagement she could not cancel.

       Then, on November 8, Super Typhoon Yolanda hit the country, so the servants’ gathering was moved to November 16.

        No, I don’t think the calamity happened to enable Kristine to attend to her duty as manager of our coverage team.

       We did learn a lesson from the incident — which is the same teaching Jesus gives in today’s Gospel: We will have trouble in this world, but we must take heart because He has overcome the world.

       Yes, because He has triumphed over the cross, Jesus can help us triumph over any trial — be it as bothersome as Kristine’s conflict of schedules or as horrendous as super typhoon Yolanda. Cynthia U. Santiago (cusantiago@gmail.com)

Lord, spare me from calamities. But should the storms come, let me not forget You are beside me.

St. John I, pope and martyr, pray for us.

We can work together in proclaiming the Gospel in new places and build on one another’s work. The Gospel is about discovering the will of God for our lives and being faithful to it. It is He who works on our conversion. We are merely instruments of His will.

1 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior of the country and down to Ephesus where he found some disciples. 2 He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They answered him, “We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 He said, “How were you baptized?” They replied, “With the baptism of John.” 4 Paul then said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 Altogether there were about twelve men. 8 He entered the synagogue, and for three months debated boldly with persuasive arguments about the kingdom of God.

Psalm 68:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

R: Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.

1 [2] God arises; his enemies are scattered, and those who hate him flee before him. 2 [3] As smoke is driven away, so are they driven; as wax melts before the fire. (R) 3 [4] But the just rejoice and exult before God; they are glad and rejoice. 4 [5] Sing to God, chant praise to his name, whose name is the Lord. (R) 5 [6] The father of orphans and the defender of widows is God in his holy dwelling. 6 [7] God gives a home to the forsaken; he leads forth prisoners to prosperity. (R)

If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

29 The disciples said to Jesus, “Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. 30 Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now? 32 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. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 1 Samuel 1-4

BRAVE HEART

It seems Jesus is relieved at the fact that the disciples have finally believed in Him as the One sent by the Father. His mission is complete. However, Jesus is only too aware of the human heart, which is capable of deceit and being weak in faith. Although the disciples now believe, many of them will be scattered. The following hours will surely reveal this.

       How many times did Jesus try to convince them of the Father’s love? And only now do these disciples see beyond His metaphors and figurative speech and recognize that He truly is the Savior of the world. Jesus is aware that trouble and persecution await His beloved friends and so He tells them not to be afraid for He has conquered the world. Our faith is born of a hope in the resurrection. Many things will come against us in this life. Jesus is fully aware, but we must hold firm. All around us, the world is in desperate need for peace. Natural disasters, wars, oppression and violence surround us every day. The Christian stands as a witness that there is life beyond destruction. The story of Jesus manifests this in a powerful way.

       The week between Ascension and Pentecost is dedicated to unity. We, as Christians, must pray and be united in our efforts to proclaim the Risen Christ. As Christians, we must stand strong, firm in our conviction of Jesus who has died, risen and who will come again. This is our acclamation of faith.

       The Risen Lord brings us peace. Let us be peacemakers in the way we relate with each other. How can we accomplish this? By the love we have for each other will the people see we are Christians. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

REFLECTION QUESTION: Do you live as a victorious Christian, knowing that Jesus has conquered the world?

Lord, I thank You for Your courage and encouragement. Help me to be victorious in You. Amen.