We are Not Alone

Homily for Monday of the 6th Week of Easter

Our Gospel reading this morning comes from a section of the Gospel of John where Jesus is talking to his disciples about the world’s hatred for those who follow Him. Jesus knew what kinds of challenges the disciples would face in the days that were to come.

In the chapters of the Gospel that follow this, we see Jesus arrested and handed over to be crucified. Jesus knew that His close group of friends were all going to be mocked and ridiculed. He knew that they were going to have to hide away for days out of fear. But Jesus was also trying to tell the disciples of what was to come. Yes, all of these bad things were going to happen, but there was also something good to come. As I have mentioned several times throughout the Easter Season thus far, the Resurrection happened. But Jesus didn’t set that as the end for his encouragement for the disciples. He was looking past that event towards the Ascension and then the sending of the Holy Spirit. So Jesus reassures His disciples to stay rooted in that Truth; He reminds them that they will never be alone.

That’s the same message that Jesus gives us today. Before He died for us on the Cross, He knew what challenges and struggles all of us would have to one day face for simply being Christians. Even now, it’s becoming increasingly more difficult for us to live our faith in the public sphere. And, let’s be honest, it’s only going to get worse as more and more in the United States and in the Western world allow secularistic attitudes to become the norm. So we have to be ready for what is to come. When persecution, in whatever form it takes, comes our way, we have to remain rooted in the Truth that we are not alone. And we have to have the courage to always be witnesses to the Jesus even when it is difficult.

Jesus reassures us today, the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, is always with us to guide us and strengthen us. We just have to listen more attentively to Him. So, let’s ask for that grace – Lord, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Take away whatever is in my heart that is preventing me from listening to you, remove whatever is hindering me from following your will. And may we always be witnesses that point others to You.

Photo: Holy Spirit from Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Aumond Road, Augusta, GA, . Josh Eckstein, used under Unsplash license.