Daily Gospel Reflection
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May 25, 2020
The disciples said to Jesus, “Yes, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure of speech! Now we know that you know all things, and do not need to have anyone question you; by this we believe that you came from God.”
Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!”
At this time of year, many of us are scattered, each sent to various locations near and far. Whether it be in the wake of summer break, graduation, or other new beginnings, we are faced with transition. We move from places of comfort and understanding to unknown worlds with new challenges and areas for growth. This act of leaving the security we have acquired along the way can be uncomfortable and intimidating.
In this Gospel passage, we see that the disciples face this same discomfort as Jesus foretells their scattering. Just as they breathe the words of belief at who Jesus is and what his life reveals to the world, they learn that he is returning to heaven and they will face persecution and difficulty. Of course they didn’t want him to go! After all, life’s difficulties would be a lot more manageable with the Son of God by your side.
Christ assures his disciples, as he assures us, that in the challenges and discomforts that arise in being scattered, we are never alone. His spirit abides with us, and works through us to draw us closer to him. He resides in heaven at the right hand of the Father, so that his truth might remain with us forever, and that we might find peace in his sacrifice and victory over death.
So as we are scattered and sent forth from comfort and security, let us take courage, friends! For though the road may seem unsafe and scary at times, our peace comes in knowing that Christ has already conquered the world. Our call is not to conquer anything, only to trust that we are not alone, and that Christ, through his death and resurrection, is transforming our every difficulty and discomfort into a moment of growth, beauty, and divine love.
Prayer
All-powerful and ever living God, your Son, Jesus Christ, taught us to not be afraid of pain and suffering. As we face this world’s uncertainties and challenges, send your Spirit to sustain, nourish, and fortify us for wherever life takes us. Help us to remain faithful in good times and bad until we see you again and rejoice in your presence forever. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Gregory VII was one of the great reforming popes of the Church. He turned the political order upside down, going so far as to excommunicate kings, and suffered greatly because of his convictions.
He was born in Italy in the 11th century and baptized with the name Hildebrand. He had an uncle who led a monastery in Rome, and went to live with him to receive an education. He was such a bright student that he was asked to become an aide to one of his teachers, John Gratian, who was elected to the papacy.
Hildebrand continued serving the papacy even after his mentor died and others were elected to the see. He was placed in charge of economic affairs and restored order to the city and brought stability to the Vatican’s treasury. He was great friends with another reformer of the time, St. Peter Damian.
Many saw Hildebrand as being a powerful man behind the curtains, and were not surprised when he was chosen as pope in 1073. He chose the name Gregory VII in honor of his mentor, who had the name Gregory VI.
Many of the kings of Europe at the time were poor rulers, corrupt and cruel, and many of the leaders in the Church were no better. Positions of status in the Church were sold or given as gifts; clerical celibacy was disregarded and many priests lived openly as married men. Gregory spent the rest of his life driving these impurities from the Church.
After his election, he immediately went to work opposing married priests and those who used Church positions to be wielded as a prize. His decrees struck to the heart of a system of power and favoritism that ruled the day, and he was thrown into political machinations from all sides. He had few allies, and was even kidnapped for a short time once while he was presiding over Christmas Mass.
His defining act was to excommunicate Henry IV, emperor of Germany. Eventually, Gregory was forced into exile, where his health began to fail; he died in 1085. On his deathbed, he forgave all of his enemies. “I have loved righteousness and hated sin,” he said with his dying breath. “That is why I die in exile.”
A symbol of the reforming and justice-seeking pope stands on the exterior of the Eck Hall of Law, as seen to the right.
Pope St. Gregory, you died in exile for seeking justice and righteousness above everything else, pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of Pope St. Gregory VII is in the public domain. Last accessed March 6, 2025 on Wikimedia Commons.
