Readings:
Acts 19:1-8
John 16:29-33
Reflection:
Many years ago, while I was in the novitiate, I became friends with a family who each Saturday would go water skiing on Narrabeen Lagoon. I can’t say I ever mastered the art, but one thing I learned was I knew when I was going to fall off. It was as soon as I said, “I think I’ve finally worked this out.”
Our gospel today reflects that same humanity:—we often believe we are strong in faith or conviction, but under pressure, fear can cause us to falter. It reminds me that faith is not just about what we say or feel in comfortable moments, but how we stand in times of difficulty.
Despite this prediction of abandonment, Jesus expresses a deep sense of peace and security: Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave me alone.
But I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
Just this week I officiated at the funeral of a lifelong friend, Garry Gleeson. A week or so ago, his son, Chris, messaged me to say his father had passed away after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Garry and his wife Marie had faced the challenges of life with an amazing and inspiring faith and courage. They had buried their daughter, Lesley, as a young woman from Leukemia.
At the time of getting the message, I was driving from Blenheim to Kaikoura, in our parish here in New Zealand.
I pulled over and felt a great sadness come over me.
The sun was setting and I glanced to my right, and there was a beautiful sunset over the snow-capped mountains. It was a stunning and beautiful sight.
I glanced to my left, and there was full and beaming moon rising over the sea.
I couldn’t help but think what a sign of Garry’s life it was. A life which had brought life, faith, and love to so many people, who had created a family legacy out of love and faith, despite the hardships of his own beginnings. His life on earth was ending with a stunning display of beauty.
And as the full room rose, it was also a sign of our faith. The light of a new beginning. As St Paul said, “Now we see but a dim reflection but then we shall see face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12)”.
Jesus calls us to act courageously in all of life’s unanswered questions.
Garry answered that with the fullness of love and courage. With the abiding love of Marie, he was to me a living light.
Even if we are but a dim reflection, may our light shine brightly and eternally.
Peter Gardiner is a Passionist Priest.