Overcoming the World!

Monday, May 18, 2026

Acts 19:1-8; Jn 16: 29-33

Today’s Gospel invites Jesus’ disciples to overcome the world just as he did.

Jesus’ disciples confess that ‘Now we can see that you know all things…this makes us believe that you came from God.’

And Jesus asks, ‘Do you now believe?’

Jesus’ question has two meanings. Jesus tells them that they believe him ‘only now.’ There is a bit of disappointment in his tone. However, that is not all. His question also reveals something that the disciples themselves are hardly aware of. They confess their faith in the Lord at a time when their faith is about to be put to the test, in which they would fail. Their confession shows that their faith in him is earnest but not strong enough to endure suffering. 

This is why Jesus asks them, ‘Do you now believe?’ Jesus’ question helps us realize that having faith means making it to the finish line, overcoming all the difficulties that faith in Jesus might entail. Hence, we understand faith as an unwavering commitment, one that does not collapse under or bow down to external pressure. 

This is where Jesus’ statement that ‘I have overcome the world’ needs some unpacking. Jesus’ commitment to the Kingdom of God is rock solid and relentless. He is willing and ready to pay the price for his mission even with his life. Thus, he has transcended the realities of pain and suffering, which, in fact, reinforce his commitment towards the mission. Thus, for Jesus, who has overcome the world, the cross itself is victory, not a mere instrument of torture.

Here, having faith in Jesus or testifying to his love or becoming his witnesses in this world can happen or is possible only when we overcome the world as Jesus did. When we overcome the world, we decide for Jesus with a ‘come what may’ attitude. 

Let us pray that we may overcome the world to ever side with Jesus. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar