Word to the Wise
Thursday, May 26, 2022 - 6th Week of Easter - Thurs
[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." [John]
MAY 26 ST. PHILIP NERI, C.O.
There are moments in the Last Supper discourse when the rambling and repetitive nature of the sentences can be confusing. The evangelist seems to have put together materials and traditions from different sources all in one place. Nevertheless, there are "themes" in the discourse, all of which is meant to prepare the disciples for Jesus' death and resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit - the "Advocate." Earlier the idea of Jesus' "coming" from the Father and "returning" to the Father was expressed. Today Jesus' "going away" and "coming back" are expressed. It is all one process of being sent, returning, and coming back in the form of the Holy Spirit. Today there is an immediate meaning of death (going away) and resurrection (coming back) that adds to the mix! "A little while, etc."
We have an advantage that the disciples at the Last Supper did not have. We have 2000+ years of reflection on the text of the Last Supper discourse (and the entire Gospel According to John). We can see the various "themes" in the discourse and then relate them to the overall portrait of Jesus and his mission and God's plan of salvation that the evangelist presents. That mission continues in the presence of the Holy Spirit in each of us and the challenge to love our neighbor as Jesus loves us!! AMEN
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