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Vocation Meditation - April 27
6th Sunday of Easter
Jesus said to his disciples: "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, because he abides with you, and He will be with you. I will not leave you orphaned, I am coming to you. In a little while, the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you will also live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
Jesus' awareness of his coming death loomed before His mind during this discourse. Soon, His departure from His beloved disciples who were forming the young Church would trigger panic, insecurity, and sense of loss as the sheep would be without a shepherd. They would be vulnerable to attacks of the mighty, the snares of the enemy within and without the Church, and to their own weaknesses before the great task of leadership and discipleship. Jesus reinforced their faith, their hope and the memory of Him by requesting the Father's Gift of the Advocate. This Spirit made possible the new reality of His indwelling among His own. When we keep His Word, we live in Him forever. Hence, orphans are we, no more! We have the Father, the Son and the Spirit for always!
Vocation Challenge.
Emmanuel is God with us.
By His Resurrection, the Spirit is God within us.
Find time for personal solitude. Choose a line from the above.
Welcome and experience God's indwelling in you!
For the full Gospel reading for this Sunday, visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops site.