No one can avoid troubles in the World

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Easter Season : Seventh  Week :  Monday after Pentecost*

*Gospel : Jn 16:29-33*

*First Reading : Acts 19:1-8*

*No one can avoid troubles in the World*

*1) In the world you will have trouble*

These are the words of Jesus from today's Gospel

The moment we think about troubles and challenges we feel anxious and we become nervous. 

The First reaction towards the trouble is to avoid it. In fact no one wants to get into troubles and lose peace of mind 

But the fact is, as a Christian, no one can have trouble free life 

A trouble free life is not a Christian life. Because a Christian will face some or the other kinds of troubles 

Troubles are the part and parcel of Christian Spirituality

*2) Jesus had troubles in the World*

For us Christians, Jesus is the perfect model, we look for 

In fact Jesus had number of troubles in the world when he began His ministry

Jesus was challenging every situation when went against the spirit the Kingdom of God. As a result he had to face troubles from His own people and community 

So troubles are very common when one wants to do something good

*3) Troubles for the sake of the Kingdom of God*

When Jesus refers to the trouble we need to see these troubles from the angle of the Kingdom of God 

All those troubles which are arising from the context of establishing the Kingdom of God, are worth, which leads us to become strong in our life 

All those troubles which arise from the evil habits, or from our selfish motives lead our life, towards worse situation, which make our meaningless 

So we need to see for what purpose we are facing the trouble in our life 

*4) The present church is at trouble*

  

Wherever we see the church today, it is under trouble

Trouble for preaching the Gospel, fighting for justice and for doing good 

Trouble is for proclaiming that one is the follower of Christ and practicing the Gospel values 

At large today church faces many troubles all over the world for witnessing Christ

*5) The tree that bears fruit will always be stoned*

This is a Turkish Proverb

The situation of the Church and the Followers of Jesus is similar to the above proverb

We have face much troubles in the world because we serve the Lord and try to implement the values of Jesus into this world 

Since the values if Jesus go against the values of this world, the troubles are faced by the followers of Jesus 

*6) Am I frightened about the troubles?*

There is no need to fear for the troubles, because Jesus is always with us 

Every follower of Jesus must prepare himself/herself to face the troubles and not to avoid the troubles

What about troubles in my life?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*