“Do not let your hearts be troubled.”

In this coming Sunday's Gospel reading we hear Jesus begin by telling the disciples: "Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him." This statement points right away to the teachings that the Church has regarding what happens to us in Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist: we become dwelling places for God most high! But in the actual moment, taken from Jesus' Last Supper Discourse, one of the disciples may have asked themselves why they needed to be a dwelling for God if he is among them already, as Jesus was at the time.

Jesus continues speaking to his disciples, saying, "The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you." Certainly the disciples may then have been excited to hear that this Holy Spirit will come and teach them and remind them of everything. But again... why remind them when Jesus can do that himself? Is Jesus going somewhere?

Next, Jesus says: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid." At this point one can imagine a disciple asking "wait... why are you leaving us peace? Why would we be troubled? Where are you going?" One can also imagine them looking around the table with an eyebrow up and confusion on their faces. Jesus is laying out clearly what is to come, but the disciples don't have the benefit of hindsight like we do.

We, who know the rest of the story, can recognize that he is speaking pretty directly about his impending Passion, Resurrection, Ascension, and the sending forth of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Jesus himself even says, "I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe." And the Church has placed all of this in the readings at this time to foreshadow for us what is to come. 

So, brothers and sisters, let us prepare our hearts for the great feasts that await us! While we certainly want to continue to bask in the glory of the resurrection, it is important that we never forget this fact: through the action of the Holy Spirit in the Sacraments of the Church God dwells within us and continues to fill us with life! And all of this is given to us not just to bask in the glory ourselves, but to take it forth to the world! Let us tap into the life of God anew today and in the coming weeks so that we can take up our place in establishing the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven!

Want to prepare your heart and mind for Mass this weekend? Click here to find the readings this Sunday's Mass.