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During these days, the readings will be preparing us for the feast of Pentecost, which is the day when Jesus Christ poured out the Holy Spirit on the apostles.
In this Sunday's Gospel the Lord behaves like that mother who, before leaving her son at school on the first day of classes, tries to reassure him and fill him with confidence and security. “And I will ask the Father to send you another Advocate, the Spirit of truth, that he may be with you always.” (John 14:16)
Jesus is saying goodbye, he sees his disciples sad and dejected. Soon they will not have him.
In our days experiencing the feeling of being orphaned from God is more frequent than it may seem. Being orphaned is without a doubt one of the most painful and conflicting things a person can go through because it is similar to feeling completely alone in the world.
"I will not leave you an orphan." At some point we all want or even need to hear these words. They speak directly to some of our greatest fears and challenges; abandonment and isolation, loneliness, vulnerability.
Anyone who has ever loved and lost (a spouse, a child, a friend, security, job, hope) knows the orphan's questions. What will I do now? Where do I go? What happens next? Who will love me, care for me, guide me? Who is on my side? What will become of me?
"I will not leave you orphans; I will come back to be with you." (John:14:18)
"I will not leave you an orphan." That is the promise. Regardless of the circumstances of our life, storms, death, separation.
"I will not leave you an orphan." Again and again, day after day, no matter what is happening in our lives, that is the promise of Jesus. We have not been abandoned, never have been and never will be orphans of God.
As we approach Pentecost, Jesus prepares his apostles for the Holy Spirit, through whom the Church will be built and the nations will be converted.
I invite you to ask the Lord not to leave us alone and to send us the Holy Spirit. Let us also ask him to open our hearts so that we may allow ourselves to be guided by him, be more faithful to God and more devoted to others, even if it costs us.
The Reverend Rafael Garcia
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