“Have courage, I have overcome the world” Jn. 16:29-36

The Lord knows us and knows that our faith is sometimes weak, as it was for the disciples even when they were with Jesus. It had to be the Holy Spirit with his strength and his transforming fire, who made those friends of Jesus, the courageous witnesses, pillars of the emerging Church. There are two words of Jesus that encourage us: “I have spoken this to you, so that you may find peace”; “in the world you will have struggles, but have courage, I have overcome the world”. Jesus’ victory over evil and the action of his Spirit strengthen our faith to be his witnesses in the midst of life’s struggles, for with him all things are possible. As Saint Paul said: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13). Encouraged by the Spirit of the Lord and walking with our Master, conqueror of evil, we have nothing to fear.