TODAY'S GOSPEL REFLECTION: "God Knows How to Stay"

TODAY'S GOSPEL REFLECTION: "God Knows How to Stay"

May 15, 2023. Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter

Gospel

Jn 15:26—16:4a

Jesus said to his disciples:

"When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father,

the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father,

he will testify to me.

And you also testify,

because you have been with me from the beginning.

"I have told you this so that you may not fall away.

They will expel you from the synagogues;

in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you

will think he is offering worship to God.

They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me.

I have told you this so that when their hour comes

you may remember that I told you."

Reflection

The Lord never wishes us to stumble. Blessed Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter. We grew up longing to have a company. We learn at a young age that our parents can accompany us to sleep and provide us with a secure feeling. We learned from our school teachers that they will be by our side from the moment we are starting to read and write. And if we already have a career, we know we have a superior to rely on. We are used to the physical presence and the support system others can provide us. But what do we do when others failed our expectations of them? This scenario is a challenge connected to our Gospel for today. We might think that Our Lord Jesus Christ is just like the others because He is not with us in human form. But, God did not ascend into Heaven without leaving us something that will strengthen our faith. He clearly said to the apostles, "I have told you this so that you may not fall away." Indeed, God does not want us to stumble. God wants us to stand firm even during times when our ground is being shaken by adversities in life. God has a way of staying in our lives more than what Jesus in human form can do. God left us the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, and our job is to listen to the Third Person of the Trinitarian God. We must be led by the Holy Spirit to meet Jesus at the nearest Tabernacle and receive Him, flesh and blood. We are challenged to reflect on how Our Lord Jesus Christ made Himself more available than ever. Abraham, Moses, Jacob, and the rest of God's faithful in the Old Testament didn't get to have this privilege of receiving God, flesh, and blood.

May we see the value of God's presence in our Churches. This time, we are challenged to go to Him. This time, we are the ones that must take a step forward near God. Let us be guided by the Holy Paraclete. In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen+

Reflections by: T.K.R.S

Go to USCCB website for the full readings.

https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading