Monday of the 7th week of Eastertide Saint John I, Pope, Martyr Gospel: John 16:29-33In this sacred time between Ascension and Pentecost, the disciples learn that true peace is found not in circumstances, but in communion with Jesus Christ. In today’s Gospel (John 16:29–33), Jesus says: “I have told you all this so that you may find peace in me.” These words are spoken just before His Passion, when confusion, fear, and suffering are about to overwhelm the disciples. Yet Jesus points them toward a peace that comes from His victory: “Take courage; I have conquered the world.” The period between Ascension and Pentecost mirrors this spiritual journey. The disciples no longer see Christ visibly, and they wait in uncertainty for the coming of the Holy Spirit, yet they are invited to remain in the peace of Christ. This peace is not the absence of struggle, but the certainty that the Risen Lord remains victorious and present. On the memorial of Saint John I, we also remember that Christian peace can remain firm even amid persecution and suffering when rooted in Christ. During this time of waiting, the Church is invited to deepen its trust in Jesus, discovering that the heart finds lasting peace only when it rests in Him who has overcome the world. Let’s reflect: Am I truly seeking peace in Jesus Christ, trusting that even in uncertainty and suffering He has already conquered the world?
Don Giorgio