Imagine what it would be like
if you had to leave your children because you knew you were dying
and did not have long to live. Who would you ask to take care
of them for you? What would you tell your children in such circumstances?
A husband and wife were traveling with their three small children
when their van was struck at an intersection by a drunk driver.
The father was killed instantly and the mother sustained injuries
that would take her life in a few days. She moved in and out
of a coma and was under heavy sedation. Miraculously the children
aged 6, 8 and 10 survived without injury.
Knowing of her condition the mother requested that her children
be brought to her hospital room. During one of her more lucid
periods she attempted to explain to them that their grandparents
would be caring for them. She shared how much she loved them
and told them she could not possibly tell them everything they
would need to know and do the rest of their lives.
Finally this loving mother said something like this, "Grandpa
and grandma raised me and taught me all I needed to know about
how to live a proper life. Now they will do the same for you.
You need to listen to them and pay attention to what they say.
They will love you and teach you just like Daddy and I would
have done. Mommy could not possibly leave you with better people
to care for you."
At the time the children could not possibly have understood
everything their mother was saying. They did not even realize
that she soon would die nor did they yet understand that they
would never see their father alive. What they did know was that
their grandparents loved them. Their knowledge of this love was
critical because from that moment on they would have to rely
upon their grandparents' guidance for their lives.
This situation actually happened. No doubt there are other
stories that are somewhat similar. I could not help but notice
there are features of today's Gospel lesson in John 16
that are very much like the one in the story I have shared with
you.
Jesus is aware of His impending death. In spite of His attempts
to share this with His disciples they still don't understand.
Now Jesus is attempting to prepare them for the future when He
will no longer be with them in person. In some ways His words
are also meant for us today.
Jesus knew He could not have a crash course for His disciples
and somehow have them understand everything they would need to
know for the rest of their lives. So Jesus shares with them that
He will have God the Father send the Holy Spirit to them. This
Spirit is like the grandparents in my earlier story. The Spirit
will love the disciples just as Jesus does. The Spirit will help
the disciples understand the truth Jesus desired for them. The
Spirit will be present to encourage them when life is difficult.
However, one thing is very critical to all of this. As the
children in the original story grew up in their grandparents' home,
they had to decide how much attention they would give to their
grandparent's leadership. They tested things like any children
their age. They did not always follow the directions their grandparents
had for them. Nevertheless, the grandparents continued to love
them and continued to guide them as best they could.
Over time the children learned to trust their grandparents
love and direction. I know this is true because I heard the grandson
speak at his high school graduation. There was not a dry eye
in the large audience as this young man recounted how his grandparents
stood by him and his sisters as they went through some teenage
rebellion. He shared how the lessons he learned from his grandparents
were ones that would last his entire lifetime.
The Holy Spirit of God wants to have a vital role in your life
but you must allow this to happen. The Spirit does not force
itself on anyone. However, the Spirit is always available whenever
we take the time to be in its presence. The literal meaning of
the Greek word for Spirit is, "someone called in to help
when the person who calls is in trouble, distress, doubt or bewilderment." (Barclay,
The Daily Study Bible—Gospel of John, p. 194)
This prayer is used in the Cursillo and Walk to Emmaus programs. "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."
We very much need to have the fire of God's love within
us. And, the face of the earth needs to be renewed. God is doing
this through those who are willing to be led and equipped by
God's own Holy Spirit.
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