How could their hearts not be troubled, as they saw their Lord expire and breath his last? How could their hearts not be troubled, knowing that the Jewish authorities conspired to have Jesus arrested and killed? If they could do it to Him, they could do it to them.
And yet, the mere fact that he uttered these words assume that it is in our power to not let our hearts be troubled. To be troubled or not by the horrors of the world is a choice.
Having “untroubled hearts” does not mean we have to be like Pollyanna, ignoring the corruption in the world, or the divisions in the Church, pretending like our suffering isn’t that bad. The Lord isn’t requiring that we view the world through rose-colored glasses. For elsewhere he tells us to be on our guard against the leaven of the Pharisees, to be as cunning as serpents when dealing with opponents of the Gospel; you will be hated by all because of me, he says.
Not naïve optimism, but faith, preserves our hearts from becoming overwhelmed by earthly suffering. “Have faith in me” the Lord teaches. For Faith, orients us to eternity, and helps us see our sufferings from the eternal perspective. Don’t let your hearts be troubled on Good Friday, for Easter Sunday will come, as I promised. Don’t let your hearts be troubled when you are persecuted, for Blessed are those who are persecuted for my sake, for their reward will be great in heaven. Don’t let your hearts be troubled by the fact you will be mocked and misunderstood, when the powers of hell seem poised against you, don’t be afraid, I’m with you.
Faith enabled Paul and Barnabas in our first reading, to embrace the hardship of evangelization: the anxiety of unknown places & unknown peoples, physical dangers, mental exhaustion—all of it is worth it, because when our earthly labors and earthly sufferings are done for God, we will reap eternal reward.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled”. These words of the Lord Jesus are not a suggestion, but a command—for his disciples and for all of us. We are to view all of our earthly sufferings through the eyes of faith, that this world is but a preparation for the next. We are to have untroubled hearts when we face our own serious illnesses, when we see loved ones pass away, when earthly minded-leaders persecute us, when enemies of the Gospel conspire against us, when we are called upon to spread the Gospel to unknown people in unknown lands for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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Filled with Paschal joy, let us turn earnestly to God, to graciously hear our prayers and supplications.
For Pope Francis and Bishop Malesic, that they may have the strength to govern wisely the flock entrusted to them by the Good Shepherd and for an increase in vocations to the ordained priesthood, and that our priests may serve the Church with the love and devotion of the Good Shepherd.
For our parish, that we may bear witness with great confidence to the Resurrection of Christ and his tender love for sinners and for the poor.
For members of Christ’s flock who have wandered far from the Church: for the desire and will to return to the Sacraments; for deliverance from all spiritual evils and an increase in virtue for the faithful. Let us pray to the Lord.
For those experiencing any kind of hardship or sorrow, isolation, addiction, or disease: that they may know the peace and consolation of the Good Shepherd. Let us pray to the Lord.
That all of our beloved dead and all the souls in purgatory may come to the glory of the Resurrection.
O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the desires of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our lord.
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