The gospel for Monday of the sixth week of Easter is taken from St. John, 15th chapter, 26th verse, to 16th chapter, fourth verse. Jesus said to his disciples, when the advocate comes, whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father. You will testify to me. And you also testify because you have been with me from the beginning. I’ve told you this so that you may not fall away.

They will expel you from the synagogues. In fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God. They would do this because they have not known either the Father or me. I’ve told you this, so when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you. Jesus calls us to be aware of one of the things we’re called to be in this world. People who give testimony, people who speak the truth, and their life testifies to this truth that they’re living.

And yet we know that when that truth is being lived fully in the world, it is open to persecution. And it’s interesting in this reading where Jesus is saying to the disciples, when that time comes, remember this. Remember I told you that it would be difficult, it would be hard. But know that this is the process. Our testifying is risky in the world that is opposed to everything God is calling us to become. Satan.

Satan. Sam the closing prayer. Jesus reminds us that there will be times, even though we are convinced of the things that we have learned from him, that we may fall away. And the falling away is part of the process. It means that we are in a place where we might be drawn to doubt or to worry that we’re off track. But then what he’s saying to us over and over again is that I am going to be there.

My spirit of wisdom is in you, and it will survive and it will conquer. Help us to trust in this promise. And we ask this in Jesus name, Amen.