Gospel (Jn 16,29-33) - At that time, the disciples said to Jesus: «Behold, now you speak openly and no longer in a veiled way. Now we know that you know everything and you don't need anyone to question you. For this reason we believe that you came from God." Jesus answered them: "Do you believe now? Behold, the hour is coming, or rather it has already come, when you will disperse each one to his own account and you will leave me alone; but I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you may have peace in me. In the world you have tribulations, but have courage: I have overcome the world!

The commentary on the Gospel by Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia

The disciples think they have understood everything; maybe you no longer need to listen. Since Jesus opened his heart to them, revealing the beauty of life with the Father which is also offered to them, they believe they already possess it. It is the superficiality of those who think of reducing faith to a simple question of formulas to be understood. However, Jesus does not get impatient. He, a good and patient teacher, continues to speak to them so that they grow in knowledge and love. He does not leave them at the mercy of their pride and he does not want them to remain slaves to the presumptuous belief that they have already arrived. He rather puts them face to face with their weakness, with the fragility of their life which will soon make them fear for themselves and flee from the threat of being involved in their master's passion. He says to them: «Do you believe now? Behold, the hour is coming, or rather it has already come, when you will disperse each one to his own account and you will leave me alone." Jesus warns them that they will disperse precisely because they do not trust the master and his teachings. This is what will happen at the time of the arrest in Gethsemane. Everyone abandons him, even his closest friends. Only the Father remains beside him. In fact, Jesus says: "But I am not alone, because the Father is with me." This indissoluble bond with the Father is true peace for Jesus. And he also wants to share it with his disciples. True peace does not arise from thinking that we are exempt from every problem and every limit, but from the awareness that the Lord is ready to help us in every situation. And we can trust in the good power of him who conquered death.