Homily for the Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year C)

The readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year C) May be found at:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/052619.cfm

Do you ever get frustrated?  I know I do. I mean, when someone tries to explain a complicated story or provide lengthy instructions on how to do something or describes how to get somewhere - and you just can’t “get it” for whatever reason - that can be frustrating can’t it?  It can be. I see some heads nodding - you know what I’m talking about. This past week, I was trying to explain to my mother, who is amazing and who I love very, very much - how to set up a Facebook account, over the phone with me in Massachusetts and her in Florida so that she could watch the live stream video of the permanent diaconate ordination.  I failed miserably. I was frustrated. She was frustrated. I’m sure it wouldn’t be too hard for you to come up with an example of something that has frustrated you recently. So, as wonderful as it must have been to be one of Jesus’ disciples - it had to be frustrating at times. Like in today’s gospel that takes place on Holy Thursday, Jesus is spending his last moments with his disciples just hours before he is crucified.  During their last night together, as part of what is referred to as Jesus’ Farewell Discourse, Jesus is trying to explain what is going to happen to him and to them. He explains that he is going away and that he will not leave them alone - even though he just told them he was going away. Can you imagine what was going through the disciples’ minds as he spoke those words? You are going away, but you are not leaving us alone? How does that make sense?  It had to be frustrating for them.  Jesus assures them that the Father will be sending someone to help them.  But who? Jesus explains, that while he will be leaving, the Father, God, will send the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ name and that the Holy Spirit, "will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you".  Even with this information, I can imagine that the disciples were still not convinced that Jesus’ leaving could be a good thing. Jesus continues that he is telling them these things now so that when they happen, they will believe. In fact, it is only after the resurrection, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, that the disciples begin to understand and believe the words of Jesus.  This same Holy Spirit, who we refer to everytime we do the Sign of the Cross, or recite the Creed is the same person who helped the disciples and the same Holy Spirit at work in our lives today. In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it is written that “One cannot believe in Jesus Christ without sharing in his Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who reveals to men who Jesus is. For “no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit - No one comprehends the thoughts of God, except the Spirit of God.”  So often, we do not understand what God is up to. But, seriously - how could we? As hard as we try, we simply can’t understand how certain horrible events in life could have any positive meaning or result in anything good. It is only with time and prayer and the aid of the Holy Spirit that we begin to see how God might be working for good even in the midst of terrible and confusing times in our lives. Jesus tells us as he told his disciples - that we are not alone. He tells us that it is the profound love of God that he made known to his disciples and that the Holy Spirit continues to make known to us today that helps us when things get hard. The Spirit assures us that we are never abandoned, even in the midst of the loss, pain, and sorrow that are part of life in this broken world.   Jesus promises us peace, not as the world gives, but peace that is based on a power that overcomes anything that the world could possibly throw at us. In the coming week, if you find yourself in a frustrating or difficult situation - and you know it could happen - in fact, it probably will happen - remember that you are never abandoned - take a moment, open yourself up to God, open yourself up to the guidance of the Holy Spirit - remember that you don’t know everything, and that this is okay, because the Holy Spirit understands it all. Ask the Holy Spirit, who you received at baptism and confirmation to fill you with his help to understand what is happening in your life and to ask Jesus to fill you with his peace. You might get frustrated, but the Holy Spirit never does. You are not alone.  He is always with you - and he is with you to help.