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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.” John 16:29–30
Throughout John’s Gospel, Jesus often speaks in allegories and
metaphors that the disciples struggle to comprehend. Among these,
He referred to Himself as the Good Shepherd, the Bread of Life, the
Light of the World, the True Vine, and Living Water. However,
during the Last Supper, Jesus speaks clearly and openly, without
the veiled language they were accustomed to. He speaks of the
Father’s love for them, His imminent departure and return to the
Father, and how He would send the Holy Spirit—the Spirit of
Truth—to guide them into all truth.
As the Apostles listened to Jesus speak plainly, they rejoiced in a
newfound clarity, indicating that their faith had reached a deeper
level. At this pivotal moment, just hours before Jesus’ arrest and
Passion, their new insight must have amazed even them: “Now we
realize that you know everything…we believe that you came from
God.”
This new level of understanding was just the beginning of a journey
that would lead them deeper into all Truth in the years to come.
However, despite their new understanding, Jesus quickly adds that
they will soon “be scattered” and leave Jesus alone. Their newfound
clarity would quickly come face to face with the Cross.
The experience of the Apostles teaches us much about our own
spiritual journeys. Prior to the Last Supper, the Apostles grew in
faith through years of listening to Jesus, grappling with veiled
language, and witnessing miracles. As Jesus spoke plainly and
lovingly during the Passover meal, He lifted the veil more fully to
help their faith blossom. He did this, in part, because He knew
they would be traumatized by His Passion—and indeed, they
were.
In each of our lives, we find a similar pattern. As we learn to
pray, meditate on the Gospels, and study divine truths, we are
encouraged as we begin to realize the treasure we have discovered.
We might then experience a moment of clarity, sensing God speaking
directly to us. When that happens, it’s easy to assume that
everything in life will immediately be easier. Yet the Cross often
comes next. Like the Apostles, we might stumble, become confused or
fearful, and scatter.
The lesson taught by the Apostles is one we must grasp. When we are
gifted with spiritual insights and consolations, finding that life
and God’s Word make more sense, we must remember that these
consolations and moments of clarity must deepen. To draw us closer
to Him, God needs to purify our faith and strengthen our wills. He
does this by preparing us for a fuller participation in His
Sacrifice.
When we face a heavy cross, our first response is often to resist
it. We might wonder where God is and why this suffering has
afflicted us. The lesson from the Apostles’ lives is that the
crosses we face become our greatest blessings when they are united
to Christ’s Cross. The momentary confusion and affliction must give
way to God’s power to deepen us in ways that good spiritual
feelings and insights alone cannot.
Once the Holy Spirit descended fully on the disciples at Pentecost,
their clarity and consolations were even greater, but so were the
crosses they endured. The journey of faith to which we are called
is first and foremost a journey into Christ’s Passion. We need many
moments of clarity to help us understand the value of the
sacrifices we are invited to make. We need consolations so that our
wills are strengthened when strength is needed the
most.
Reflect today on your own journey ahead. As you look to the future,
know that God wants to teach you much and lift the veil from His
divine truths. He does so not because He wants everything to be
easy or one unending consolation, but because He wants you to share
in the sacrificial love revealed through His Passion. In the end,
it is that purified love that has the potential to make us holy and
share in the glory of the saints.
My revealing Lord, You lifted the veil to divine mysteries for
the Apostles during the Last Supper as a way of preparing them for
Your coming Passion and the confusion they would endure. As I
journey through life, I trust that You will continually reveal
Yourself to me so that I can share more fully in Your sacrificial
love, which is the only way to the glory of the Resurrection.
Jesus, I trust in You.
Image: Ascension of Jesus in side apse of church kostel Svatého
Václava by S. G. Rudl
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