The exasperation and love Jesus feels for his disciples is so real in the way he responds to their questions and obvious lack of understanding once again, as we listen to him speaking with the disciples after they’ve shared their last supper together. Chapters 14 – 17 in John’s Gospel is Jesus’ final attempt to reassure the disciples, give them information they will remember, show them the options and choices they have and will continue to have, and once again, try to talk to them about his death.
It sounds like children tugging on a parent’s hand, as they try to make sense of the story being told to them: ‘can you tell it to us once again?’, as Thomas and then Philip try again to make sense of the mystery of Jesus, the Christ. The disciples remain clearly unconvinced at this stage, by the promised presence of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate or Paraclete, the one who will be there as God’s presence after Jesus is killed. God continues to give of God’s self, poured into the world, as we struggle to make sense of the world taking away Jesus.
As is always the case, our lack of understanding does not define or restrict God, instead we absorb the mystery of God, the sense of God’s love and purpose for each of us, and the inclusive nature of God’s presence in all creation.
Jesus reminds us all, as he reminds Philip: ‘Have I been with you all this time, and you still do not know me? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?’
God’s words and works are made real by Jesus in the flesh and also by God’s Spirit. God’s words and works are made real for us in the way Jesus lives and acts; and so, by knowing Jesus, we come to know God. By doing as Jesus did, we are doing what God is asking of us and we experience God in our lives. Living and acting on the two great commandments are what makes God visible in the world and it is this which identifies us as Jesus’ disciples.
While Jesus can’t be present in the world forever as God’s Son made flesh, God is present in the gifting of God’s Spirit who will be with each of us forever.
I can imagine how this sounded, and even as I talk about it, pray and read about it, I can feel myself like the disciples, going: ‘can you tell me again, so I can understand God better?’ For me, the sense comes through the words which Jesus adds: the Holy Spirit will teach and remind, comfort us and be present with us as his disciples. And we will know this, through the peace we are given by Jesus. God’s peace, not human crafted peace, always breaking and broken, driven by fear and domination, greed and violence; but the peace which comes from God’s Spirit being present with us and in us, which teaches us we do not need to be anxious according to the world’s priorities, but we can let go and trust God. It is such a hopeful, joyful realisation.
Such joy and excitement are present in the celebrations described in the Acts of the Apostles, as God’s Spirit is given, poured out, blowing as a violent wind, with light, and fire, air and sound, to those gathered waiting, praying, working and being together in community. Their joy is profound, the voices raised are from people from around the known world and God’s kingdom visibly and noisily knows no bounds, as all are welcome. God’s promise, Jesus’ reassurance has been made real.
As Jesus’ disciples listened to him speaking and heard his commitments, recognised his love and patience, they were also waiting and anxious, knowing something awful was going to happen if what Jesus said was anything like true. Along with those who gathered with the disciples after Jesus had returned to God, they were waiting as Jesus asked, staying in Jerusalem, praying, learning to trust, doing as God asked in this time. They chose a 12th apostle to replace Judas as they learned how to live together as a new community.
Incredibly, Peter’s words at that first gifting of God’s Spirit are confident, filled with certainty and joy. A fisherman from Galilee is restored after the trauma of betrayal by Jesus’ own words of love to Peter and his invitation to feed his people, to recommit and as Peter learns from Jesus, to follow in Jesus’ footsteps without anxiety or resentment. Peter and all the Apostles discover God’s Spirit, the Advocate as God’s own presence provides peace in all the dark corners of our hearts and minds, in all circumstances and doubts.
We each ask ourselves how this might be possible, when we watch the news, listen to the horrors of war, experience the emotional, physical and sexual violence in our own homes, and find ourselves in conflict and disputes in churches, schools, workplaces and communities? How can this be when Jesus himself asked us to be peace bringers, peace makers, to love one another even as he loves us?
We know this can be, when we trust God, trust God’s Spirit and let go our desire to manipulate or control the outcomes we want. Its time to let go, and let God’s Spirit blow us as God wills; to know we are able to trust God in all places, with all people, whatever the outcome for ourselves.
Sometimes the story seems to end dreadfully, as it did for Jesus, but we know this is not the real ending, rather we keep walking to the cross, witnessing to the Risen Christ who has shown us the way.
We can be certain, God’s presence in the world is for all times, with all who believe and we can celebrate today God’s love and hope with the worldwide Church and beyond to all who are searching.
The Lord be with you.
