Take Courage

May 25, 2009

Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Memorial Day

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. 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. John 16:32-33

Piety

Father God, you have chosen to dwell with us. Remain in us so we are not alone. Help us to welcome you into our minds, our hearts and our souls so that we are assured that you will disperse the troubles of the world that pursue us. Amen.

Study

The disciples know that Jesus is referencing the prophet Zechariah of the Hebrew Bible: Strike the shepherd that the sheep may be dispersed, and I will turn my hand against the little ones. (Zechariah 13:7)

In addition to referencing the fulfillment of the prophecies, Jesus continues to stress the conflict between what he offers and what the world offers. He knows the temptations the world will place before us. He wants us to have the courage to turn away from these and share his peace.

Knowing what is about to happen, it is amazing that Jesus is able to profess that he is at peace. Jesus is able to profess that he is not alone. That is the power we can share when we accept the love and grace that the Father has to offer. No matter what kind of betrayal and trouble the world will throw at us, when we remain in total communion with the Father, we will remain in the state of peace that Jesus shared the night before his arrest, trial, torture and execution.

However, the disciples have yet to fully understand what any of this means until they live through the events about to unfold.

Action

Memorial Day is a time when we remember those who have sacrificed for us. Our memories of these people remain with us.

Who remains with you this Memorial Day?

Many of us will remember a parent, friend, family member or other loved one who has passed from this troublesome world to share the next one with the Lord. In addition, we remember those who are separated from us – perhaps they have been sent into war, missionary work, or other assignments. Or, perhaps you will remember those on the prayer list at our Cursillo web site (http://www.arlingtoncursillo.org/prayer.htm), someone who faces serious illness or someone who has lost his or her memory due to age and disease – never to remember again.