Acts. 8:5-8, 14-17
1Pt. 3:15-18
Jn.14: 15-21
One of the characteristic features that the gospel of John underlines is Jesus’ unconditional love for his disciples. We see the supreme expression of this love in John 17, Jesus prays to his Father: “I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father protects them in your name that you have given me so that they may be one as we are one.” This passage reveals to us how Jesus cares for his present disciples as well as would-be disciples just like a mother cares for her children.
In today’s gospel passage we see a similar expression wherein Jesus tells his disciples: “I will not leave you orphans.” All these years Jesus had been with them. Now, His hour has come to return to His Father. However, Jesus knew that his absence would create a great emptiness in them. As a result, they may not be able to remain in this communion, depending on their strength. We see signs of this break down after the death of Jesus. Some of them returned to their old profession, some others left the city of Jerusalem, etc. Therefore, Jesus knew that his disciples would need an animating Spirit with them and He promised the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Holy Trinity to be with them always wherever they are. Then, disciples, do they feel the absence of Jesus with them?
Nowhere it is mentioned that none of the disciples missed the presence of the risen Christ with them. They were convinced of the accompanying presence of the Holy Trinity with them. They were fragile and fearful men. The transformation that they had after the Pentecost was unbelievable. Today’s first reading from the acts testifies this fact. They were able to perform the miraculous deeds that Christ had done when He was with them. We see the apostle Philip goes to Samaritans and preaches the gospel. He casts out the demons, heals the cripple, the paralyzed, and varied ailments. Then Peter and John were interceding for the coming of the Holy Spirit. The apostles and other disciples of Jesus did great things after the resurrection of Jesus. It testifies that Jesus did not leave them as orphans though he was not physically present with them physically his animating and accompanying presence the Holy Spirit was with them.
This is the greatest assurance that Jesus gives us, he will not leave us as orphans. Wherever we are He is with us. When we surrender our life to him like disciples we would be transformed and we will be empowered to transform people around us and the situation that we are in because Jesus is alive. He is constantly interceding with the Father for us.