Reflection Date: May 18, 2026 | Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Memorial of Saint John I, Pope, Martyr
Daily Readings: Acts 16:11-15; John 16:29-33
Children of God:
Did you know that the first 300 years of Christianity were periods where Christians underwent persecution?
In those early centuries, believers lived under the constant threat of arrest and death.
Refusing to worship the emperor or pagan gods was seen as a crime against the state.
Many Christians were imprisoned, tortured, or executed in public arenas.
Some were thrown to wild animals, while others were burned or crucified.
Despite these dangers, the Christian community continued to grow.
They gathered in secret, celebrated their faith quietly, and supported one another.
Their courage came from a deep trust in Christ.
Even in suffering, they held on to hope and did not abandon their beliefs.
These early Christians showed that peace could exist even in the midst of hardship.
In the gospel of John, Jesus spoke to his disciples about the trials they would face.
He said, “In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”
What are our inspirations for today?
First, peace comes from trusting in Christ’s victory.
Even before the passion of Jesus, he already assured his disciples that he had already overcome the world.
And the early Christians lived with this kind of trust.
They faced real danger, yet they remained peaceful within.
Their confidence did not come from their situation but from their faith in Christ.
They believed that no suffering could separate them from his love.
Remember Saint Paul preaching to the Romans?
He said: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Troubles? Hardships? Persecutions? Famine? Nakedness? Danger? Sword? "
Saint Paul asserted: "Nothing. Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In our lives, we also experience challenges, uncertainties, and fears.
It is easy to lose peace when things go wrong.
Yet Jesus invited us to anchor our hearts in him.
When we trust in his victory, we find a peace that remains steady.
Peace comes from trusting in Christ’s victory.
Second, the peace of Christ makes us courageous in trials.
Jesus called his disciples not to avoid difficulties but to face them with strength.
Courage is not the absence of fear but the decision to move forward despite it.
The early Christians showed this courage in remarkable ways.
Their courage became a witness that inspired others.
In our daily lives, courage may look different but is just as important.
It may mean standing for what is right, remaining faithful in difficulties, or continuing to hope when things are uncertain.
The peace of Christ makes us courageous in trials.
As we reflect, we ask ourselves: Do I trust in Christ’s victory when I face difficulties?
Do I allow fear to take away my peace, or do I choose courage? Do I live my faith boldly even in challenging situations?
Children of God:
The story of the early Christians reminds us that peace is not dependent on easy circumstances.
Jesus spoke honestly about the troubles his followers would face.
Yet he also gave a promise that remains true today.
We are not alone in our struggles.
Christ walks with us and sustains us.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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