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Gospel Reading for May 7, 2024 – John 16: 5-11
KNOWN AND FELT
Jesus said to his disciples: “Now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts. But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you.
But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin, because they do not believe in me; righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.”
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Come to think of it, Jesus himself says that if he does not go, the Advocate will not come to us. How old Jesus was at the time of his death is being debated until now – 33 to 40 yrs. old. But whatever it is what is very sure is that he would have been more than 2,000 yrs. old if he didn’t die. Who could live that long on earth? Since he became human, his life on earth also had a limit. Of course it was part of the plan of the Master Planner – GOD. Jesus would live among us and introduce him to us, to make his love KNOWN AND FELT throughout the world and to assure us that he will never abandon us and make sure that the gates of heaven will always be open to us who wish to get there. Then, after the triumphant resurrection of his Son, he will send us his Holy Spirit to make sure that although Jesus would have gone back to him, both of them will continue to be present among us.
Just for the sake of imagination, if Jesus were alive today even at more than 2,000 yrs. old, where would he be? Of course, in Israel. Can all of us go there to see him? Can he be with 31% of the world population comprising Christians today? Of course not! And because of this, he gave us such a big blessing in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. All of us who wish to receive him, wherever we are in the world, can receive him.
Thank you, Lord, for such a GREAT BLESSING!