Word to the Wise
Tuesday, May 24, 2022 - 6th Week of Easter - Tues
[Acts 16:22-34 and John 16:5-11][Acts 16:22-34 and John 6:5-11. Note: These scriptures may vary at Dominican locations.
MAY 24 TRANSLATION OF ST. DOMINIC
[The "translation" of St. Dominic refers to a moment when St. Dominic's remains were moved from where they were buried in the courtyard at the priory in Bologna, Italy and placed in an elaborate tomb inside the church.]
"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 this, 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 go, I will send him to you." [John]
One of the major themes of the Gospel According to John is the "sent/return" theme. This process results in the coming of the Holy Spirit, which we will celebrate liturgically on Pentecost in a couple of weeks. The scene in today's gospel scripture is still at the Last Supper and the words are from the Last Supper discourse. The passage shows the diversity of traditions the evangelist had at hand because Peter [13:36] and Thomas [14:5] have already asked Jesus where he was going! The evangelist has placed the immediate situation - Jesus' preparation of the disciples for events about to happen - within the broader vision of the gospel portrait with mixed success as far as story-telling goes. But we have the advantage of centuries of study and tradition to help us find our way through the "thicket" of the Last Supper discourse.
What Jesus is asking of the disciples and is asking of us is faith and trust in him. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me." [14:1] "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you." [14:18] One can imagine the confusion and bewilderment of the disciples at table when Jesus announces a "departure." They are like children who cannot understand that a parent has to go away on a trip or even to work. Abandonment is a terrible feeling even for adults. Jesus' assurance of the sending of the Holy Spirit which, in this gospel occurs immediately after the resurrection [20:21-23], seems to be too intangible or speculative, but as a matter of faith, it is a promise that has been kept and continues to be kept. If we find ourselves to be in the bewildered position of the disciples at table, we have the advantage of "fast forward" to see how Jesus fulfilled and continues to fulfill his promise. AMEN