7th week in Easter, Monday – 30th May 2022 — Gospel: Jn 16,29-33
Boasting in Vain
Jesus’ question, “do you now believe?” (Jn 16,31) echoes his question to Martha at the tomb of Lazarus, “Do you believe this?” (Jn 11,26). Both Martha and the disciples express a wonderful affirmation of faith in Jesus. Martha expressed, “Yes, You are the Messiah, the Son of God, and the one coming into the world“. The disciples affirmed, “Yes, we know that you know all things” and “we believe that you came from God” (Jn 16,30). Yet, in each case, there is much more to be received and understood. In the question of Jesus, he expresses both delight at their faith and a mild rebuke at their self-assurance. For immediately after the disciples’ positive confession of belief comes Jesus’ ominous prediction that the disciples will be scattered and desert him. This questioning, therefore, reprove the disciples for their security, vain confidence and boasting, as if their faith was so very strong that it would never be moved.
