Speak Plainly

As a writer, today’s gospel gave me a bit of a chuckle. “Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God.” We know that Jesus loved to teach using parables and stories to illustrate the truth. It seems to me that the disciples might have grown a bit weary of this teaching style; perhaps they were tired of their brains always hurting. Parables are simple stories with a twist to make you think more deeply about the truth of the matter. Have you ever had a day when you just didn’t feel like thinking? I am having one right now. I feel the pressure often (all self inflicted) to be extra clever, creative, and witty when writing a good gospel reflection. I often think my anecdotes are not poignant enough, or compelling, or even on point whatsoever. Most mornings I have nothing to say and I think well the blog was good while it lasted and now the words have run dry. Then out of nowhere one baby thought comes in and the Holy Spirit will inflate that baby thought into something that hopefully makes sense. Because I write, I am constantly looking for content, stories, and anecdotes to paint pictures for people and sometimes I find that my brain is just exhausted in the constant searching. Today Jesus “talks plainly and not in any figure of speech” and he says that a time is coming when you will have to rely on your faith, what I have taught you, and your trust in my peace. There is no fancy analogy or story required. Life will get difficult at times, but Jesus will be with us and his presence is peace. We need to take courage because this world has been conquered by his cross and resurrection and so we don’t even need to worry about it. There are many voices shouting over the top of that message and the challenge is to hear the voice that counts. The disciples knew the sound of his voice, but we know the character of his voice and we simply need to listen with our hearts. He spoke in parables to the masses, but he spoke plainly to his beloveds in his close inner circle. Where would you consider yourself, part of the masses or part of the intimate circle? I know that I want to hear him speak plainly so that there is no confusion, so I want intimacy. “In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” It is well with my soul. 

Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs
Lectionary: 297

Reading 1 ACTS 19:1-8

While Apollos was in Corinth,
Paul traveled through the interior of the country
and down to Ephesus where he found some disciples. 
He said to them,
"Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?"
They answered him,
"We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."
He said, "How were you baptized?"
They replied, "With the baptism of John."
Paul then said, "John baptized with a baptism of repentance,
telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him,
that is, in Jesus."
When they heard this,
they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
And when Paul laid his hands on them,
the Holy Spirit came upon them,
and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
Altogether there were about twelve men.

He entered the synagogue, and for three months debated boldly
with persuasive arguments about the Kingdom of God.

Responsorial Psalm PS 68:2-3AB, 4-5ACD, 6-7AB

R.(33a) Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
God arises; his enemies are scattered,
and those who hate him flee before him.
As smoke is driven away, so are they driven;
as wax melts before the fire. 
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
But the just rejoice and exult before God;
they are glad and rejoice.
Sing to God, chant praise to his name;
whose name is the LORD. 
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The father of orphans and the defender of widows
is God in his holy dwelling.
God gives a home to the forsaken;
he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Reading 2 COL 3:1

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If then you were raised with Christ,
seek what is above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel JN 16:29-33

The disciples said to Jesus,
"Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech.
Now we realize that you know everything
and that you do not need to have anyone question you.
Because of this we believe that you came from God."
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."