Confirming (phase 3), - The Last Supper – Second Part: The last discourses of Jesus (step 23) - session 6

Chronologically, things are going to be a little out of order here - though on the page for the third phase they won't be - because in the wee hours this morning with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament I thought it best to meditate on Gethsemane. I'll be entering those thoughts time stamped when I recorded them on paper. Meanwhile I'm going to observe one or two more thoughts on this step before moving on to Good Friday meditations. I may need to return to the remaining sessions later.

The Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth

Jn 16:4-33

Now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, `Where are you going?'  But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. - (5-6)

The other night when her mom went to the hospital, our 9-year-old granddaughter was quite worried for her. She started to withdraw and become petulant. It's amazing how our fear can silence us and drive us into ourselves. It wasn't long, though, before she allowed herself to express her feelings of fear to me, crying freely, and we were able to discuss what was going on and take some time to pray together.

Of course, the disciples might also have been quite confused, which is another thing that can tighten our lips. In both cases, we are better served by trusting in God and expressing our misgivings and our confusion rather than by circling the wagons and protecting ourselves. We end up drawing much closer to the ones we love - and to the One who loves us most - when we are open with them instead of following our tendency to isolate ourselves in the face of the unknown future.

Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.  And when he comes, he will convince the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment - (7-8)

It seems as if we are in a post-convincing world, in which many of us have hardened our hearts and minds against the Holy Spirit's revelation to us. I pray that the Spirit would have his way with us and draw us fully into God's love.

Some of his disciples said to one another, "What is this that he says to us?" - (17)

They said this to one another, but dared not ask Jesus. Why not?

• Were they intimidated by him in general?
• Were they too frightened by his words that evening? 
• Were the concerned about appearing ignorant before him?
• Were they afraid of what he might ask of them?

Are not our own dealings with God fraught with the same concerns?

The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered - (32a)

They - Peter, at least, from the other accounts - thought they would remain steadfast. Perhaps they feared that they would not. They certainly feared what Jesus was telling them about his imminent death. They had come to believe in him, but not yet to believe the right things of him, and not yet to know him in the way he wanted them too. But even when the things they feared for him and for themselves came to pass, still he was at work doing a greater thing than they could imagine. So it is with us. Fear often causes us to fail to do the best thing, and the thing we fear often comes to pass whether we do it or not. But in either case, God will be at work even through the thing we fear in ways that we can never foresee.