May 9 Sixth Sunday of Easter
John 14:23-29

The farewell discourse at the Last Supper in John’s Gospel continues as Jesus discusses his return to the Father and the sending of the Holy Spirit. The talk of leaving, however, is really about returning and presence. The return Jesus speaks of is not what the disciples, especially Judas, imagined. His return will not be a spectacular revelation to the world with majestic displays and fireworks. He will return along with his Father to those who love him and quietly dwell in them. And he will send his Spirit, the Advocate, to explain all that Jesus taught them.

Jesus’ gift to them is peace. They might be full of apprehension wondering what life will be like without him. He assures them that only through his return to the Father can they find true peace and truly believe.

May 16 Feast of the Ascension
Luke 24:46-53

In John’s Gospel Jesus’ resurrection includes his return to the Father. But Luke wants to emphasize that even after his resurrection Jesus continued to instruct his followers. Jesus spends forty days with them instructing them about the meaning of both his death and resurrection and about their mission to preach in his name to the entire world. As Jesus’ mission brought him from Galilee to Jerusalem, a very deliberate movement in Luke’s Gospel, the mission of the disciples moves from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.

They are not to leave immediately but to wait until the Father fills them with power from on high. He leads them to a hill near Bethany where he is taken up to heaven. The disciples return to Jerusalem where they engage in a novena of sorts, spending nine days in the temple praising God. On the ninth day, Pentecost, they will be filled with the Holy Spirit and sent forth.

May 23 Solemnity of Pentecost
John 14:15-16, 23b-26

 Today we conclude the fifty day celebration of Easter. Last Sunday we celebrated Jesus’ ascent to heaven. Today, the Solemnity of Pentecost, we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit. Today’s reading brings together some themes of the last few Sundays and even repeats some verses.

 Love is what we are called to and if we love we will keep Jesus’ commandments. When we keep Jesus’ commandments Jesus and the Father will live in us. We need not depend upon ourselves. Besides having the Father and Jesus live in us, they will send the Holy Spirit to be our Advocate to help us understand and remember all that Jesus taught us.

 After all these centuries this Spirit is still with us, our strong guide to constantly remind the Church of our commitment to follow Jesus and to deepen our faith in him. The Holy Spirit will continue to guide the Church until the day when Jesus returns to claim a faithful people for himself. The work of the Spirit that began on the first Pentecost fifty days after the resurrection continues that work in us today.

 May 30 The Most Holy Trinity
John 16:12-15

 On the first two Sundays after the close of the Easter season, the Church solemnly celebrates two important truths of our faith. Today is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. Next Sunday is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

Today’s reading is a clear representation of the relationship between Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. As Jesus leaves his disciples he tells them he has not yet told them everything he wants them to know. But they need not worry. Though Jesus must return to the Father the Spirit of Truth will be with them to guide them to all truth. The Spirit arises from the love between Jesus and the Father and will speak the truth to all who believe. He will glorify Jesus by leading us more deeply into the mysterious love between the Father and the Son. Though we cannot understand the Trinity, the Spirit brings us into that mysterious love that unites the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.