EASTER DIGEST with Fr. PiusRalph EFFIONG, SMMM

FRIDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTERTIDE 

Table of the Word: 

First Reading: Acts 13:26–33

Gospel: John 14:1–6

Theme: Let not your hearts be troubled.

Reflection:

The choice of this theme is quite adrem considering the present challenges engulfing humanity. There is no better assurance than the Words of our Lord this morning in the gospel pericope. 

Here Jesus speaks these powerful and comforting words to His disciples: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” (John 14:1)

This statement, spoken on the eve of His Passion, reflects not only Christ’s deep compassion for His followers but also His desire to instill in them - and in us - a steadfast trust in God in the face of uncertainty, suffering, and fear.

These words are more than a moment of comfort; they are a command rooted in divine assurance. Jesus is not suggesting that believers will avoid trouble. Rather, He acknowledges that troubles will come, trials, loss, confusion, and pain are part of the human experience. What He offers is a foundation upon which we can rest our hearts: faith and hope in Him and in the unshakable promises of God.

Moreso, for us Christians,  these words resonate deeply. In a world marked by anxiety, global conflict, personal suffering, and rapid change, Jesus’ voice breaks through the noise and fear: “Let not your hearts be troubled.” It is an invitation to shift our gaze from what we see around us to the One who holds all things together.

To embrace this assurance is to live with a heart anchored in faith. Faith does not deny the storm, but it keeps us afloat within it. Faith in Christ tells us that no matter how dark the valley, we are not alone. He is the Good Shepherd who walks with us, the Resurrection and the Life who has conquered death, the Prince of Peace who speaks calm into our chaos.

In conclusion, “Let not your hearts be troubled” is more than an encouragement, it is a declaration of divine truth. As the Scipture says,  He (Christ) offers peace not as the world gives, but as only He can: a peace rooted in His love, His promises, and His victory over sin and death. In embracing His words, we find not only comfort, but the courage to live boldly and faithfully, no matter what comes.

As we move deeper into Eastertide, today’s readings encourage us to trust in Christ more deeply - to let go of fear, to anchor our lives in the truth of the resurrection, and to walk boldly along the path Jesus lays before us. + May the Lord bless His Words in our hearts both now and forevermore.  Amen.

© The ARCHIVE 16052025