Fifty-days have passed since we first sang our Easter songs of, “Alleluia!” Time does surely fly. Much has happened since those first days of Easter. Our gospel today takes us back to that first night of the week. It is Easter night and Jesus appears to the frightened gathering of brothers and sisters. The doors are locked and yet He appears. Jesus says: “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
Our Parish Fiesta is supported by many volunteers from the weeks prior to the fiesta to the week after fiesta. Consider donating drinks or your time in setting up and taking down.
Today, there could be a sense of true and complete sadness in the community. Jesus, our Lord and Savior bids farewell to his loyal followers, his friends, his disciples and he ascends to the Father. Our gospel is clear in that as he was taken up his hands were raised in blessing over them in the same manner we, to this very day, also bestow blessings upon the faithful people of God.
This week in our gospel Jesus is talking with his followers in what is called in John's version of the story as, "The Last Supper Discourse," and more specifically this sharing on, "The Advocate." Jesus is conversing with his followers before the betrayal, passion AND resurrection. Jesus is trying to get his community and our ready for his leaving of this world in the fulfillment of the Pascal Mystery in the life, death resurrection and the Ascension of our Lord.