In yesterday‘s First Reading Paul began his sermon in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch explaining that Jesus was the Messiah for whom the Lord had been preparing and announcing throughout salvation history in deeds, events, and prophecies. Today he explains to them the evil events that had taken place in their days, but how they paled in comparison to the good news of Christ’s victory over sin and death through the Resurrection. That is the good news we have rejoiced in ever since.
At the start of today’s Gospel Our Lord invites his apostles, not long before his Passion, to not be troubled, to believe in his Father and in him and not be afraid. The days just after that encouragement were the darkest ones the apostles ever experienced in their lives, but that darkness faded in the light of the Resurrection to become a joy they spent their whole lives spreading, even to martyrdom.
Our Lord doesn’t want us to be troubled or afraid. The key is to believe in him. His victory has shown there is nothing to fear.
Readings: Acts 13:26–33; Psalm 2:6–11b; John 14:1–6. See also 4th Week of Easter, Friday.