Lent Day 8: Wednesday after the First Sunday in Lent — The Farewell Discourse of Jesus.

The Farewell Discourse of Jesus.

Listen to this meditation audio by using the player above.

Read St. John xiv. 1-3, 27-31.

[1] Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. [2] In my Father’ s house there are many mansions.  If not, I would have told you: because I go to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I shall go, and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will take you to myself; that where I am, you also may be.

[27] Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, do I give unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [28] You have heard that I said to you: I go away, and I come unto you.  If you loved me, you would indeed be glad, because I go to the Father: for the Father is greater than I. [29] And now I have told you before it comes to pass: that when it shall come to pass, you may believe. [30] I will not now speak many things with you.  For the prince of this world cometh, and in me he hath not any thing.

[31] But that the world may know, that I love the Father: and as the Father hath given me commandment, so do I: Arise, let us go hence.

1. Our Lord’s farewell to His apostles begins and ends with words of encouragement.  He knew the importance of courage and confidence, and that without these they would never do great things for God.  He knew, too, how liable all men are to be discouraged and cast down when troubles and trials arise; how hard it is to struggle on when all seems dark around.  To us as well as to the twelve He says: “Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God; believe also in Me.”  Why do not we believe more in Christ, trust Him more, appeal more to Him in times of darkness?  He will always have a word of comfort for us.  O Let not your heart be troubled.  I go to prepare a place for you.”

2. Amid all the troubles that Our Lord foretells to His apostles.  He promises them one gift that will enable them to rise above all their difficulties and all their sorrows.  He promises to leave with them peace.  What gift in the world is there which is like this?  If we are at peace, we can bid defiance to all our foes; if we are not at peace, we might be lords of the universe, yet we should be miserable.  No wonder we pray in holy Mass, Dona nobis pacem — Give us peace.

3. The peace Our Lord promises is His peace: “My peace I give unto you.” What sort of peace is this?  It is the peace He enjoyed all through His life — the peace of perfect union of His will with God’s.  If we are thus united to God by perfect resignation, we too shall have unalterable and eternal peace.

 


This article, Lent Day 8: Wednesday after the First Sunday in Lent — The Farewell Discourse of Jesus. is a post from The Bellarmine Forum.
https://bellarmineforum.org/devotional/the-catholic-daily/lent-meditations-preface-information/lent-day-8-wednesday-first-sunday-lent-farewell-discourse-jesus/
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