John 14: 23-29

Jesus said to his disciples. “If anyone loves me, he will carefully keep my word and my Father will love him – we’ll move right into the neighbourhood! Not loving me means not keeping my words. The message you are hearing isn’t mine. It’s the message of the Father who sent me.

“I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left – feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.

“You’ve heard me tell you, ‘I’m going away, and I’m coming back.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I’m on my way to the Father because the Father is the goal and purpose of my life.

“I’ve told you this ahead of time, before it happens, so that when it does happen, the confirmation will deepen your belief in me. I’ll not be talking with you much more like this because the chief of this godless world is about to attack. But don’t worry – he has nothing on me, no claim on me. But so the world might know how thoroughly I love the Father, I am carrying out my Father’s instructions right down to the last detail.

“Get up. Let’s go. It’s time to leave here.”

Gospel Reflection

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says to his disciple, Jude: “Whoever loves me will keep my word and my Father will love him and we will come and make our dwelling with him/her.” Then Jesus begins preparing his disciples for his departure. He tells them that his Father will send them the Advocate, the Holy Spirit. The Advocate will teach them everything!

Then we hear the familiar and loving words of Jesus: “My peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” I invite you to silently absorb his words for 2-3 minutes. Then slowly and mindfully repeat Jesus’ words 4 or 5 times. Then just be still for 2 or 3 minutes.

Did you sense or experience the peace and presence of Jesus? When we are upset, troubled or fearful Jesus may feel very far away. At these times, if we consciously breathe in his peace and his presence, we may begin to experience his presence with us. However, we need to stop and breathe in the love, the peace and the presence of Jesus for a few minutes. Jesus is always with us! However, we are not always consciously in his presence. We may need to once again deliberately place ourselves in Jesus’ presence. He will not fail us!