Let not your hearts be troubled

Good morning, happy Friday and blessings.

The gospel’s for today is in John 14:1-6. We need to step back to the evening of the last supper. The disciples were gathered, and Jesus was trying to make them understand the events that were about to transpire. And the disciples just couldn’t wrap their minds around its enormity. As they protested and questioned and scratched their heads, Jesus celebrated the Passover meal and washed their feet. But they were still troubled. It looked like they were about to become leaderless and they don’t know what to do or where to go.

Jesus responded to their fears with one of the most reassuring pieces of scripture: Let not your hearts be troubled (John 14:1). I can imagine that Jesus said this with deep sadness, eyes brimming with tears and his voice choked with emotion. He knew what was going to happen. Things were falling apart, and he would soon face his ordeals in the Garden of Gethsemane. But he told the disciples not to be troubled. Why? Because he is the way. ‘That was huge news to the disciples! But just like the disciples, we often forget or doubt He is ‘the way.’

As Jesus looked at his disciples, he knew what was going on in their minds and hearts, knew how disturbed and upset they were, and knew what was causing it. He knew the remedy for it, as well. Perhaps there are many among us here who are suffering from the same affliction as these disciples -- troubled hearts, fearful hearts, upset, disturbed, agitated hearts because of what was going on, especially with the coronavirus. Jesus knew that these disciples were afraid -- afraid of what was coming. They were afraid of death, afraid that they, with him, were going to be executed. They knew of the opposition which had developed against them in Jerusalem, the bitter hatred of the Pharisees, their determination to eliminate Jesus and all his disciples. They knew they were in danger, and so their hearts were deeply troubled as they gathered here with him. But them he reassures them by saying; Let not your hearts be troubled.

The remedy for heart trouble is contained in the two phrases which follow: "believe in God, believe also in me." "Let not your hearts be troubled." How? Why, "Believe in God" -- God who is still in control, who knows what he is doing, who is capable of exercising infinite wisdom, infinite power, and infinite love -- and, "believe also in me," Jesus said, who is the means by which all that wisdom and resource and power of God is made available to you. That is the secret.

Being human means needing reassurance sometimes. Even the most secure people have moments of self-doubt, insecurity, and feeling overwhelmed. Whether you need a little or lots of validation, this is nothing to be ashamed of. Remember that Jesus reassures his disciples at that moment and us at this moment by saying; Let not your hearts be troubled.

Blessings

Fr. Luis+