Jesus Speaks To His Disciples of His Departure

“But I tell you the truth; it is expedient to you that I go; for if I go not, the Paraclete will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And when He is come, He will convince the world of sin, and of justice, and of judgment.” (John 16, 7-8).

First Prelude: Behold Jesus in the Cenacle, conversing with the disciples about His ascension and the descent of the Holy Ghost.

Second Prelude: Enlighten my soul, O God, with the light of the Holy Spirit, that in all things, I may recognize Thy Divine Wisdom and Goodness, and cleanse my heart of all earthly affections.

FIRST POINT
THE WORDS OF JESUS, “IT IS WELL FOR YOU THAT I GO”

Having heard from the lips of their Divine Master that He was about to leave them, the Apostles were seized with fear and depression. Jesus compassionated and consoled them affectionately. Adapting Himself to their weakness, He spoke not of the glory awaiting Him in heaven, but only of the blessings and the benefits that His going should bring to them. Even to the last moment of His visible presence on earth, Jesus forgot Himself, as it were, only to think of us. “It is good for you that I go,” He said to His Apostles. The “going” of Jesus helped them to perfect their faith and hope and to chasten their love. While Jesus was with them, they still expected an earthly kingdom in which they should hold the positions of honor. As children upon their father, they relied in all things upon their Master, and their virtue should never have waxed strong, nor their zeal have increased, had Jesus remained with them.

Occasionally God deprives us, also, of a visible support, which seems to us indispensable. We must leave an appointment, a person, and at once we are dejected, confused, and see in this loss an impediment to our progress in virtue. Our infinitely loving Father, however, knows what is salutary and necessary for us. He permits what is painful only for our benefit, to purify our intentions and to furnish us with opportunities for the practice of virtue. Let us learn, at last, to submit cheerfully to the dispensations of Divine Providence and instead of sorrow, peace will reign in our hearts.

Recalling many an incident of my past life must I not say with fullest conviction: It is good for me that God disposed and directed all as He did? It was good for me that He did not fulfill a certain wish of mine which so occupied my mind, that He subjected me to such and such a trial, which I dreaded so much?

SECOND POINT
THE HOLY GHOST, THE COMFORTER, WILL CONVINCE THE WORLD OF SIN, OF JUSTICE, AND OF THE JUDGMENTS OF GOD

These words found their fulfillment on the feast of Pentecost. Fortified by the strength of the Holy Spirit, Peter convinced the Jews of sin to such an extent that they cried out with contrite hearts: “What shall we do, men and brethren?” (Acts 2, 37), and three thousand sought baptism on the same day in order to be cleansed of their sins. Such is the victory achieved by the Holy Ghost in the Church over the world. In like manner, He vanquishes evil in our hearts, provided we co-operate with grace. The Spirit of Holiness upbraids us with the least sin, corrects and adjusts our perverse judgments, and gives us a clear insight into our weaknesses and defects. In hearts submissive to Him, He entertains a lively detestation of even the most trifling faults, joined with profound humility, uninterrupted vigilance, and the firm resolve to avoid all dangerous occasions. If we have sinned, the Holy Spirit comes to our aid, that we may repent of our sins and not suffer them to become an impediment to the operations of divine grace. How grateful ought we not be for His enlightenments, His inspirations and divine counsels! But how solicitously ought we to utilize such exceptional graces! We should frequently ponder the terrible account that shall one day be exacted of us at the judgment seat of God. The Lord will judge with all the rigors of justice those whom He overwhelmed with His graces, but who have, nevertheless, abused them and thus encumbered themselves with such a tremendous responsibility.

Must I not fear the judgment if I transgress my Holy Rule lightly, exercise little vigilance over my senses and take little thought to repair my known transgressions by sincere compunction?

Affections: O my Jesus, when shall perfect love of Thee fill my heart? Alas, I admit that my earthly tendencies hinder me from being wholly Thine, from loving and praising Thee in all Thy dispensations. Come, O Holy Ghost, with Thy divine light and convince my soul of its weaknesses. Give me courage and strength to vanquish self, to throw off the yoke of created things, and unceasingly to aspire to heaven. Forsake me not, O Spirit of Truth and Holiness, despite my past infidelities, which have rendered me wholly undeserving of Thy divine guidance. I offer Thee a docile and receptive heart, desiring nothing save to be wholly Thine by the bonds of a pure and perfect love, and to be guided solely by Thee.

Resolution: I will carefully cleanse my heart of everything that could hinder the effects of the Holy Ghost.

Spiritual Bouquet: “If I go not, the Paraclete will not come to you.”

Prayer: Take, O Lord . . .