Painting by Joan de Joanes, 1578.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus prepares His disciples for what lies ahead. They have walked with Him, listened to Him, witnessed His miracles — but they are about to enter a world that will reject them, just as it did Him. Most importantly, Christ makes them no promises of earthly comfort, or even success. Instead, He reminds them that following Him will always come at a cost!
“They will expel you from the synagogues,” He warns, and for the Apostles, this is no small thing. To be cast out of the temple means isolation, exclusion, suffering. But Jesus tells them all this precisely so they “may not fall away” when the time comes.
After all, Christ knows how easily fear can silence a faithful heart. He knows how tempting it is to stay quiet and keep our mouths shut. And while it is true we may not be facing the same trials the Apostles once did, we do live in a world that frequently misunderstands Christ and His Church. Our faith is belittled, disrespected, insulted. The parallels are there.
But Jesus did not abandon the Apostles, and He will never forsake us, either, for the Advocate, “the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father,” strengthens, guides, and reminds us we are never truly alone. And it is the Holy Spirit who eventually transforms ordinary, frightened men into fearless witnesses! This is a beautiful truth. A heart that has genuinely encountered Christ can’t remain mute!
And though most of us aren’t called to martyrdom, we are called to remain faithful to the Lord. Sometimes our witness is shown through kindness when bitterness would be easier. Sometimes it means defending the truth with charity. Sometimes it just means remaining close to Christ in a world full of distractions and noise!
As we continue through this Easter season, may we ask the Holy Spirit for the courage to remain faithful to Christ, no matter the cost. And when we feel discouraged or afraid, may we remember that the same Advocate who visited the Apostles is still at work within the Church… and within each of us today!