5/16/2023 (Tuesday) Today’s gospel reading: John 16:5-11
5 Jesus said to his disciples: “Now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’
6 But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts.
7 But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
8 And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation:
9 sin, because they do not believe in me;
10 righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me;
11 condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.”
5/16/2023 (Tuesday) Today’s gospel reflection: John 16:5-11
There will always be a time for separation especially between parents and children and between teachers and their students. Children cannot remain with their parents forever. They will soon grown and have families of their own. Students cannot remain as students of their teachers forever. They will soon graduate and go elsewhere. So it is with Jesus and His disciples. Jesus has been with them for three years already and His departure is at hand. It is clearly to the disciples’ advantage that Jesus will leave for their own growth.
Jesus will leave His Disciples because the time came for Him to return to where He came from. Yet, His apostles will not be left as orphans. Jesus will be with them until the end of the world (Matthew 28:20). This will be fulfilled with the coming of the Holy Spirit. It means Jesus will always be with the Apostles and with us through the Holy Spirit.
Let us therefore pray that we may always be aware the Jesus is present in us through the Holy Spirit whom we received through our baptism. Amen.