Reading of the Word of God

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

This is the Gospel of the poor,
liberation for the imprisoned,
sight for the blind,
freedom for the oppressed.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

John 16,29-33

His disciples said, 'Now you are speaking plainly and not using veiled language. Now we see that you know everything and need not wait for questions to be put into words; because of this we believe that you came from God.' Jesus answered them: Do you believe at last? Listen; the time will come -- indeed it has come already -- when you are going to be scattered, each going his own way and leaving me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may find peace in me. In the world you will have hardship, but be courageous: I have conquered the world.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

The Son of Man came to serve,
whoever wants to be great
should become servant of all.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

The disciples think they have understood everything; perhaps they no longer need to listen. Because Jesus has opened his heart to them, revealing the beauty of life with the Father that is also offered to them, they believe they already possess it. This is the superficiality of those who think they can reduce faith to a simple matter of formulas to be understood. Jesus however does not become impatient. He, the good and patient teacher, continues to speak to them so that they may grow in knowledge and love. He does not leave them at the mercy of their pride and does not want them to remain slaves to the presumptuous belief that they have arrived. Rather he confronts them with their weakness, with the fragility of their lives that will soon make them fear for themselves and flee before the threat of being caught up in the passion of their Master. He says to them: "Do you now believe? The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone." Jesus warns them that they will scatter precisely because they do not trust the Master and his teaching. This is what will happen at the moment of his arrest in Gethsemane. Everyone abandons him, even his closest friends. Only the Father remains with him. For Jesus says: "Yes I am not alone for the Father is with me." This unbreakable bond with the Father is true peace for Jesus. And he also wants to share it with the disciples. True peace does not come from thinking we are exempt from every problem and limitation, but from the knowledge that the Lord is ready to help us in every situation. And we can trust in his good power that has conquered death.