Word to the Wise
Tuesday, May 28, 2019 - 6th Week of Easter - Tues
[Acts 16:22-34 and John 16:5-11]"Now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, "''Where are you going?' But because I told you grief has filled your hearts. But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I do go, I will send him to you."
The somewhat repetitious and puzzling character of the Last Supper discourses shows up in today's passage. Earlier, the disciples did ask Jesus where he is going, but in today's portion, Jesus says none of them has asked that. The evangelist was apparently not particularly concerned with such consistency. The main point is the return of Jesus to "the one who sent me" and the sending of the Advocate.
The Gospel According to John takes a very broad approach to understanding the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Prologue to the gospel introduces that broad narrative, and we hear over and we hear over again about Jesus' fidelity to his mission from the "one who sent me." Now, at the Last Supper, we learn how that mission will be continued. The disciples (and we) will receive the Spirit of truth which will enable us to proclaim Jesus and to challenge the world to faith. We read the gospels not simply as a story about the past but as a preaching about the present and future. In the days left in the Easter season, leading up to the celebration of Pentecost, we will hear more about what challenges us as people of faith. AMEN