Never Alone

This drawing has been in my prayer space for many years. Jesus is as close to the lamb as he can get and the lamb is snuggling in to be even closer. With half-shut eyes, the lamb is sweetly smiling. Perhaps Jesus is, too. Then there is the strong, scarred hand. Jesus’ comforting hand expresses radical, sacrificial love and it feels tender and comforting.

The Gospel story today* is about Jesus soothing and inspiring his disciples. He knows they are afraid of being alone when he dies and death is coming soon. He tells them that they will receive a great gift. A partnership beyond their hopes will be given them: a comforter, teacher, guide, advocate. The Advocate will come to live in them, he says. If they love him, the Spirit will be at home in them forever and they will never be alone.

This partnership is given to all who love Jesus. It offers every resource I need, every resource the world needs. The Spirit is the key to healing and discernment, clarifying God’s purpose in the moment, as well as ongoing call. The Spirit is key to accessing divine hope and power. This is why spiritual practices are so important. They deepen our communion with God and open our awareness to divine will.

God’s intent is always seeking justice, peace, and healing. To participate in fulfilling those purposes, I absolutely need the partnership of the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort and empower me. Perhaps the blessing of feeling alone, as I so often do, is that my sorrow forces me to turn to that partnership. Pain and need force me to remember the truth that the Spirit is a forever partner. Do not be troubled, Jesus said. Do not be afraid.  My peace I leave you. And this Advocate, the Holy Spirit, will teach you and remind you of everything I have said.

The truth is that the Holy Spirit is now abiding in me and in you, soothing and inspiring.  This astounding partnership is fully equipped to serve God’s dream. Each of us, restored inwardly, fearlessly and boldly can act for justice and peace.  We are never alone.