I will not leave you orphans

As we approach the end of the Church's Easter Season, the readings begin to have Jesus speaking about his impending departure. In this coming Sunday's Gospel reading, Jesus begins by speaking about the commandments that he has given to his Apostles: "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." Following this, Jesus tells the Apostles that the Father "will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth." Continuing on, he explains, "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you."

In this, we can see the working of the Holy Trinity taking shape. The Son will ascend back to the Father, together they will send forth the Holy Spirit to continue the presence of Jesus in the world and, though Him, the Father, with Jesus explaining, "On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you."

As we approach the feast of the Ascension (which we will celebrate in two Sundays) when Jesus indeed ascends to the Father, and then Pentecost the Sunday after that, these words are important for us to hear and reflect on! The Holy Spirit will be sent among the Apostles, and through their ministry in the Early Church and laying on of hands, they begin a line of ordained ministers that continue their work to this very day in the Church! And, what's more, through Baptism and Confirmation each and every Christian receives the Holy Spirit in order to continue the work and to have Christ's presence abide in them most clearly through the Word and the Church's Sacraments.

So, let us pray this week that, as we prepare for these great and mysterious feasts, we may be open to the abundant graces God wishes to pour into us! Jesus indeed did not "leave us orphans," but with the Father sent forth the Holy Spirit. He remains with us and in us. So let us go forth and bring Him into the world, which is desperate to hear and encounter Him!

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