Word to the Wise
Thursday, May 17, 2007 - Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter (Ascension moved to Sunday)
[Acts 18:1-8 and John 16:16-20]A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while later and you will see me.
When the disciples asked in a confused manner, "What is this 'little while' of which he speaks?" they are not the only ones who have found this passage puzzling. Fr. Raymond Brown, SS, the renowned Johannine scripture scholar suggests that the first "little while" refers literally to the fact that Jesus would soon be arrested (this passage is part of the Last Supper Discourse) and put to death. The second "little while" refers to the coming of the Spirit which would enable their faith. Faith in the Gospel of John is often expressed in the verb "to see." That explanation is as good as any I've seen, but the matter still remains a challenge for the modern disciple. It remains a challenge because, unlike those who were at table with Jesus, we do not have the living historical person to see or touch or hear. We have the Eucharist and the Holy Spirit - both precious gifts - which must enable us "to see" and to share the faith with "the world." Those who thought the "little while" meant that Jesus would return soon in chronological time were to be disappointed. They had to realize what Jesus provided in terms of present experience of eternal life through faith in him. We continue to make this offer of eternal life real in our times through our faithful preaching and living the Gospel. It is through this that we and those who believe with us and those who experience our faith see Jesus. AMEN