Daily Retreat 05/13/07
2007 May 13 SUN: SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Acts 15: 1-2. 22-29/ Ps 66(67): 2-3. 5. 6. 8 (4)/ Rv 21: 10-14. 22-23/ Jn 14: 23-29
From today's readings: "It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us ... O God, let all the nations praise You!... The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb.... 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."
Promise of the Paraclete
The Gospel readings of this time of year (the last weeks of the liturgical Easter Season) return to the Lord's "Farewell Discourse" given at the Last Supper (ch. 13-17 of John). With the illumination of the Resurrection, our Easter faith is equipped to better ponder these crucial parting words of our Lord.
With the approach of Pentecost, the time has certainly come to focus on our Lord's teaching about the Holy Spirit. No doubt, He had to reiterate some of these points as He prepared His disciples for His Ascension. Having the physical presence of Our Lord with them was certainly the best thing the Apostles had ever experience, or could imagine. What were they to think of Christ's insistence that His return to the Father should be a cause for their rejoicing?
As comforting and reassuring as it must have been for the disciples to stand in the physical presence of Jesus, it must have been difficult to ever depart from that Presence for whatever reason. And so, Christ's promise to send His Holy Spirit as His abiding spiritual presence with His Church was, indeed, a cause for rejoicing - whether asleep or awake, traveling, or at home, the Holy Spirit brings the comfort of the abiding presence of God!
Acts 15: 1-2. 22-29/ Ps 66(67): 2-3. 5. 6. 8 (4)/ Rv 21: 10-14. 22-23/ Jn 14: 23-29
From today's readings: "It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us ... O God, let all the nations praise You!... The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb.... 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."
Promise of the Paraclete
The Gospel readings of this time of year (the last weeks of the liturgical Easter Season) return to the Lord's "Farewell Discourse" given at the Last Supper (ch. 13-17 of John). With the illumination of the Resurrection, our Easter faith is equipped to better ponder these crucial parting words of our Lord.
With the approach of Pentecost, the time has certainly come to focus on our Lord's teaching about the Holy Spirit. No doubt, He had to reiterate some of these points as He prepared His disciples for His Ascension. Having the physical presence of Our Lord with them was certainly the best thing the Apostles had ever experience, or could imagine. What were they to think of Christ's insistence that His return to the Father should be a cause for their rejoicing?
As comforting and reassuring as it must have been for the disciples to stand in the physical presence of Jesus, it must have been difficult to ever depart from that Presence for whatever reason. And so, Christ's promise to send His Holy Spirit as His abiding spiritual presence with His Church was, indeed, a cause for rejoicing - whether asleep or awake, traveling, or at home, the Holy Spirit brings the comfort of the abiding presence of God!
posted by FrPitstick | 5/10/2007
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