Goodbye?

17 May

Jesus said to his disciples: 
“A little while and you will no longer see me,
and again a little while later and you will see me.”  (Jn 16:16)

Jesus was preparing His followers for a rather important event: His Ascension.

This was something that disturbed them greatly.  After all, if the Romans could not even kill Jesus, they just figured that He would be with them forever.

The news that He was going to be leaving them — this time for good — was unsettling.

Jesus acknowledged this by telling them that they would grieve and mourn; however, their grief would be turned to joy.

Why?

Because He was going to send the Holy Spirit to them.

The Holy Spirit was the gift that was going to make all things right for the followers of the Lord.  The Holy Spirit would give them the gifts that they needed to go out into the world and tell the Good News.

Before the Holy Spirit came to them, they were a frightened and ineffective group of people.

After the Holy Spirit came to them, they were fearless in performing their mission.

FAITH ACTION:  We count upon the gifts of the Holy Spirit in order to perform our mission.  In prayer this day, repeat slowly and reverently to yourself, “Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.”