Today’s gospel reading as well as next Sunday’s and our own parish experience of Confirmation later this week are moments intended to encourage us in living with Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit. John’s words in the gospel are a recollection of Jesus’ giving comfort, encouragement and blessing to the disciples and us.A story from a Jesuit priest who grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin has helped me look at my relationship with the Holy Spirit. I hope you will find it a support in your life, on your faith journey.
Fr. Larry tells the story of the time he was with his younger brother in downtown Milwaukee. He wanted to send his six year old brother home, along, on one of the city’s buses – the one with the final stop directly across the street from their home.
Big brother Larry takes his younger brother Pat to a bus stop. Taking Pat onto the bus and paying his fare, Larry reminds him that the last stop on the bus is just across the street from their home. He assures him he will be fine, not to worry because the bus driver knows where he is going. Imagine a six-year old, probably his first solo bus ride, and the uncertainty and fear that must have been in his heart.
Once the journey began Pat went to the driver to make sure this was the bus going to 43rd street, the 43rd Street in Milwaukee. He asked the driver if he knew about a big white house across the street from the last stop. Every assurance that the driver offered Pat did not ease his uncertainty, his fear. Of course, Pat made it home safely. Brother Larry never revealed how safe it was for himself when he walked into the security of the big white house and confronted his parents!
In the gospel words today Jesus is telling his followers that we are on a journey of faith. We should not fear. We are on this journey with him and all will go well if we trust and believe in God. We are his passengers. We are not alone.
Actually we are like the big white house that Pat and Larry called home if we let God and the Holy Spirit into our hearts, if we believe that God cares for us. On our journeys how often do we ask, "Where are you leading me now, God?" Even believing often invites us to question what the drive of our bus tells us along the way.
Pat tried to believe the drive knew what he offered as assuring answers. But for Pat what he heard was only a temporary kind of peace. Nothing would be a complete assurance until Pat saw the family home and his being at home with Mom and Dad.
Jesus extends a genuine peace to us through the Holy Spirit. But we continue to live with worries and fears because we are fragile people. Our journeys are not always on streets we recognize. But we do find comfort because we know that those around us are traveling the same journeys.
Like our fellow-travelers on this journey of faith, we seek to know with certainty. We want the security of knowing. What Jesus is for us with the gift of the Holy Spirit is an invitation to trust, to believe.
Today, while we are remotely preparing for Pentecost Sunday in two weeks and our upcoming Confirmation for our young people, we cannot overlook what we celebrate today. God’s gift to us in the special women in our lives, our mothers, is very much a symbol of his care for us.
