What We Leave Behind - April 13
Today’s Readings - AM Psalm 1, 2, 3; Exod. 14:21-31; 1 Pet. 1:1-12; John 14:(1-7)8-17
Today’s gospel is likely one of the most comforting of all the passages in the Bible. It is often read at the burial office and many who are nearing death find comfort in its words. I’ve always found the idea of Jesus asking for an advocate to be with us after he’s gone to be one of my favorite parts. That’s incredibly thoughtful and reassuring of him, don’t you think? After all he’s been our Lord and Messiah, teacher, and friend – our everything. How wonderful would it be if our best friends sent someone to be here for us after they die?
There is a professional role that has developed more recently that at first, I thought was a bit odd. The person helps people plan for their death. Not so much a Life coach as a “How to carry on after I die” coach. It’s not so much about how the funeral will go or where their body will be placed but rather how to assist their family handle their absence once they’re gone. At first when I heard about this, I thought, “Oh wow, that’s the perfect thing for a control freak.” But the more I thought about it the more I realized how useful this could be.
The presentation I heard about highlighted one main tool – a three-ring binder - one of my favorite inventions of all time. In the binder there are tabs for everything the person takes care of. For example, which bills the person pays and when, the passwords to all the important things like the Amazon Prime movie channel, or the gym membership or more importantly, the bank accounts. Other areas might include, in which order the Christmas decorations come out of the basement and how to put them back up, or how to operate the washing machine and dryer. Which clothes definitely do not go into the wash and which ones go to the drycleaners. You get the picture. You have to admit, this could be pretty useful.
So, when Jesus is preparing his disciples for his inevitable departure, there were no three-ring binders so instead he tells them he will send another advocate, another because he has always been their advocate and now, they will need another. This advocate is who we know as part of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. If the Holy Spirit knew all my passwords that might be a huge help but in truth what’s even better is that the Holy Spirit knows who we are and sees us for who we can be. The Holy Spirit knows our fears and misgivings, our potential for good and not so good and believes in us as beloved children of God. It’s the Holy Spirit that will be with us as we rejoice and as we die, our “all faithful” companion sent by God.
There’s a prayer to the Holy Spirit we use in Cursillo that goes like this:
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created,
and you shall renew the face of the earth.
O God, who has taught the hearts of the faithful
by the light of the Holy Spirit,
grant that in the same Spirit we may be truly wise
and ever rejoice in his consolation.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
I think it’s possible that Jesus had something like this in mind. That in His absence the Holy Spirit will fill our hearts with divine love, she will send forth His Spirit over the face of the earth, bringing renewal and a new creation within us, with wisdom and a joy that is boundless, celebrating Jesus’ infinite capacity for consolation.
Faithfully,
Sally+
Questions for Reflection and Challenge - What is it that you would like to leave for those you love? What do you want them to know? How might the Holy Spirit lead you to wise choices?