Jesus - Conqueror of the World

Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter

(Click Here for Readings)

Gospel of John 16:29-33

Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now? 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.”

A world in trouble  This morning I read about Islamists bombing several Coptic Christian stores in Luxor, Egypt.  A Christian is on trial for blasphemy allegedly writing Internet postings condemning Islam. As a result, Islamists decided to riot, killing innocent Christians in the process.  It's sad to think Coptic Christians make up less than 10% of the Egyptian population.  Islamists are slowly driving away any trace of Christianity.  Their intolerance toward other religions is growing in staggering ways.  I always thought communism would lead to World War III.  Now I'm frightened radical "Islam-ism" may end the world as we know it.

Catholic Christians are in serious trouble throughout the world.  They are attacked by secularists who demand religion stay out of schools and public places.  They are attacked by gay and lesbian advocates since Catholic Christians don't support same sex so-called marriage laws.  Catholics are attacked by the media for upholding archaic "traditional values" that don't jive with the relativism of the 21st century.  Government laws as well as coerced violence threatens religious liberty and freedom.  

It's a frightening and sad world.  We may think doom and gloom is all we have to look forward to in the future.  However, God wants us to be courageous.  Fight the good fight when it comes to preserving our Christian faith.  Keep our chins up never allowing the world's troubles to damper our spirits.  Every generation in the past, present and future has thought the world will end in their lifetimes.  

My mom used to always tell me that as long as war and conflict exists the world will exist.  It's not until the Middle East reaches peace that the time of the Last Judgment is at hand.  Honestly, I'm not sure if this is true or not.  I just continue to pray for peace everywhere in the world.

Jesus the Conqueror  Jesus conquered the world in amazing ways.  He conquered hate with love. He conquered sickness through healing miracles.  He conquered humanity's sins by dying on the cross.  He even conquered the skeptics and non-believers by proving the Old Testaments prophesy was fulfilled.  He still acts as conqueror of our souls in the present day. If the heart is shielded from Christ's message, then his divine sword can't penetrate it.  We block the flow of his blood into our own.  What is needed is for us to remove the protective shield comprised of disbelief and ignorance.  Allow Christ's body and blood to become bonded to us.  With this bond comes strength.  With this bond comes an understanding of what God is all about.  He is made of infinite love.  This outpouring of love makes him the most effective conqueror of all time.

As we approach Pentecost, think about ways Jesus has healed you from your troubles.  Stay away from the negative doom and gloom news.  Pray, meditate and reflect on ways Jesus has helped you conquer struggles in your own life.  Invoke the help of the Holy Spirit to give you the wisdom, knowledge and understanding of the Truth of  Jesus Christ.

-J.