“But if I do go away, then I will send him to you.” – John 16:7

I was amazed: How could a baby move that fast?
     I was watching my friend’s five-month-old girl on the bed while her mom quickly used the bathroom. “Keep your eyes on her. Don’t leave her for a second,” she instructed... and it wasn’t long before I knew why. As soon as the mom turned her back, the infant started rolling with lightning-fast speed towards the edge of the bed. If I hadn’t jumped in her general direction to act as a human roadblock, she would’ve had one of her first tastes of excruciating pain. Babies, because they are not yet fully aware of danger, do not realize that thrilling activities sometimes end in disaster. Responsible parents and caregivers know this and never leave babies unattended.
      God knows me. He knows that half the time, I have no idea why I make unwise decisions. He can see the bigger picture so He knows when I’m headed for a major bump or pothole in the road. In many ways, I am just an infant, reliant on someone bigger.
      A very long time ago, Jesus almost didn’t want to leave His flock but because He knew He had to go, he had a backup plan—He called on the babysitter of babysitters, the ever-present guide who does not take His eyes away from those in His care. Today the Spirit is still very much available to all those who are afraid to fall off the edge. Anna dG.

REFLECTION:
How often do you call on the third member of the Trinity?

Holy Spirit, watch over me and protect me from harm. 

P S A L M 

Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 7-8

R: Your right hand saves me, O Lord.

1 I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth; in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; 2 I will worship at your holy temple and give thanks to your name. (R) Because of your kindness and your truth; you have made great above all things your name and your promise. 3 When I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me. (R) 7 Your right hand saves me. 8 The LORD will complete what he has done for me; your kindness, O LORD, endures forever; forsake not the work of your hands. (R)
  
G O S P E L

John 16:5-11

Jesus will return to His rightful place with the Father. They will send us the Holy Spirit to continue the work of salvation within our lives. We ourselves will become ministers of the Gospel and take up the call to spread the Good News to the ends of the earth. Let us open our lives to the grace of the Holy Spirit so that He will be able to do all that He has been sent to do. This is essential if we are to truly become the disciples of Jesus we are all called to be.
  
5 “Now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts. 7 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. 8 And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness, and condemnation: 9 sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; 11 condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.”
  
my reflections
think: It is the witness of our lives that is important in the evangelization of others as this is where people can see the Gospel in action; it is practice and not just theory.

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God’s special verse/thought for me today________________

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T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Job 19-22

We can feel the sad atmosphere in the Upper Room when Jesus spoke about his fast approaching departure. The disciples did not yet understand what we today know: Being not only divine but also fully human like us, Jesus was confined to certain places and could only be where His body was at a particular time. He had to leave His human body behind in order to become present in a very different way. After His resurrection He would be present everywhere, not anymore bound to time and place. He would be present through and in the Holy Spirit.
      Two years ago, we had to let go of a beloved pope who guided the Church for nearly 26 years. Never in church history was a pope mourned worldwide by Christians and non-Christians as John Paul II. We had to let go. But he lives on in our memories, in his teachings, and his spirit is very much alive in his successor, in the faithful and many people around the world. How difficult it is to let go of a friend or a person we deeply love when death approaches! But only in letting go can something new emerge. Only in letting go can the Spirit create a new future and bring progress. Only in letting go do we become builders of a new future. To let go gracefully is heroic. We do not admire politicians who cannot let go, retire and leave the future to a younger generation with new ideas. We cannot respect a boss who clings to his position, depriving younger heads of great opportunities.
      The Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised in today’s gospel passage, took over where Jesus had to let go of His earthly life. Last Saturday we read how St. Paul had to let go of his plans because he realized that the Spirit wanted him to go to Europe. The Spirit guided and continues to guide the Church into an ever new future. What a progress the Church has made under the guidance of the Spirit! When it becomes hard for us to let go, trust that the Spirit has better plans for us and then – just let go. Fr. Rudy H.

REFLECTION QUESTION: Am I ready to let easily go of a person, a position, a thing and realize that now the Holy Spirit has something better in store for me?

Lord, it is hard to let go. I cling to the present because I am afraid of  the future. Here I discover lack of trust in Your providence and loving guidance. Help me to trust more in your word and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

St. Andrew, martyr, pray for us.