“I have conquered the world”.

Our hope in life is based on the victory of Jesus over death,

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Acts 19:1-8

While Apollos was in Corinth,

Paul traveled through the interior of the country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples   whom he asked, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you be­came believers?” They answered, “We have not even heard that anyone may receive the Holy Spirit.”   Paul then asked, “What kind of baptism have you received?” And they answered, “The baptism of John.”

 Paul then explained, “John’s baptism was for conversion, but he himself said they should believe in the one who was to come, and that one is Jesus.”   Upon hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.   Then Paul laid his hands on them and the Holy Spirit came down upon them; and they began to speak in tongues and to prophesy.  There were about twelve of them in all.

Paul went into the synagogue and for three months he preached and discussed there boldly, trying to convince them about the Kingdom of God.

 

Ps 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.

 

 ＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊    

John 16:29-33

 The disciples said to him, “Now you are speaking plainly and not in veiled language!   Now we see that you know all things, even be­fore we question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God.”

 Jesus answered them, “You say that you 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. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.

 I have told you all this, so that in me you may have peace. You will have trouble in the world; but, courage! I have overcome the world.”

 

Gospel Reflection：

Plain Talk

In response to the declaration of faith by the disciples, Jesus tells them bluntly that they will all desert him at some point, and that’s alright and he can take it, for the Father is with him. He also warns them that they will have much trouble in the world, but must take heart in that he has overcome the world and he is on their side.

See the matter-of-fact-ness with which Jesus speaks of such difficult events! Only someone who has the highest sense of security and supreme confidence in the plan of God can do so! Such person does not have to live in denial of reality or in a make-believe world. He can face life with all its challenges, betrayals, and detours-for he knows that God will have the last laugh.

It is no wonder that it is this plain talk that makes the disciples believe that he must truly be from God.