“CANTATE 2024”
Saint John 16: 5-15
Cantate: 28 April Anno Domini 2024
Fr Jay Watson, SSP
We, sinners, do not like when our loved ones go away—on business trips, to college or the military, or to death. But things change. Situations evolve, rather, devolve “change and decay in all around I see” we sing in # 552 (‘Abide With Me’). Everything goes away—fading flowers, withering grass, everything. But not The Word of The Lord. And by The WORD I mean Christ Jesus. Even Bibles get old and decrepit and “go away,” or can be confiscated and burned by enemies of The Faith. But Messias is with us “lo, I AM with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Mt. 28.20). And, “where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there AM I in the midst of them” (Mt. 18.20).
The Redeemer tells His redeemed that He is now going to go “My way to Him that sent Me.” The “12” are so taken aback that none of them asks Him what He means. They were then, and especially on Good Friday and later at The Ascension, saddened.
You yourselves are both distraught and sometimes angry when you “feel” that God has left you—and your loved ones. Feelings must, MUST, be banished by The Truth—by Jesus, Who is THE WAY. He has placed you on the way—on His own back and shoulders, and IN + Him in both washing and feeding.
Jesus makes it clear that it is “expedient” i.e., “to your advantage” or, “for your good” (ESV & NIV) that He goes away. What does this mean? You know. His real, literal, actual, and true presence among you—with you individually—will be no more “local” in the visible sense. You will not be able to recline your head on His chest the way Saint John did; you will not be able to fall at His feet the way Saint Peter and Saint Magdalene did; you will not be able to reach your fingers and touch His wounds the way Saint Thomas did. But that is okay. God’s divine plan is nothing but Grace to give you faith to receive Him the way God desires you too. This is not just to strengthen you but to expand His Good News to ends of the earth. Jesus leaves visibly but He has sent God The Holy Ghost to comfort you and to stand with you always. You confess that The Spirit “calls you by The Gospel, enlightens you with His gifts, and sanctifies (makes and keeps you holy) in the true faith” (SC II.3). And what are those “gifts?” Exactly what you just confessed boldly in The Creed: “I believe in The Holy Ghost, The Lord and giver of Life.” The LIFE is Jesus—Who He is and What He does. The Comforter comforts you with Jesus. So yes, Jesus IS always The Answer—The Truth. He would soon be sent to The Disciples on The Feast of Pentecost. He was sent to you when you were + Baptized. And He continues to come to you making you His very temple, Christ’s own House, by Jesus’ Words and Sacramental Words.
What Christ did, individually, He now does in a magnificent multiplication—not of fishes and loaves, but of voices: Preachers, Gospellers: deacons, presbyters, and bishops, i.e., called and ordained pastors. From one Jesus to twelve Apostles. From a dozen “sent ones,” ambassadors, to hundreds and hundreds, and thousands and thousands of voices down through the ages. How wonderful and comforting it is for you to believe Christ’s words: “he that heareth you, heareth Me” (Lk. 10.16).
Hear me! The Holy Spirit through my lungs, larynx, and lips, to your ears.
The sinful world, Satan himself, and your daily sins and old sinful nature I condemn by The Word of The Lord. The Law, most definitely the Ten Commandments reprove and slay you dead. Stop your trespassing. Stop doubting. Stop complaining, hating, lusting, stealing, and murdering. Stop putting other “gods” before The Lord. Start loving with actions and deeds (good works) those you come into contact with. Sin is sentenced to death because you sinners, in your sins, are condemned to death. But you are Saints. So, in Christ, bathed by His Mercy—His words of remission and absolution; His watery and bloody shower of salvation you are believing disciples just like the “12.” The ones that are reproved unto damnation Jesus states that it is because “they believe not on Me.” Thus, the Prophet John the Baptist and the prophet Jay the Pastor exhort: “repent and believe.” And you do! Hallelujah—The Holy Ghost does His work.
The Righteous One is now with The Righteous Father and you only “see Him no more.” But He sees you and is with you.
The angels are here with you right now, the archangels as well. They rejoice over your repentance. They are joyous at your hunger for The Sacrament where they join you with all the heavenly host. The Holy Spirit too hovers here with you, as He did over the face of the deep (Gen. 1) and over the flood of your Baptism. He is The Spirit of Truth the dispenser of Jesus The Truth. In that way, it is The Paraclete who communes this morning by way of The Holy Office.
Christ glorified The Father when He was on the crucifix for you. Christ by The Spirit glorifies you this day by feeding and watering you with the fruit of that glory: the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. Big theological words, but meaning—comfort unto death, and Peace everlasting.
Come to the altar and “take of mine” says your Savior. The Holy Ghost for you.
In The Name of The Father and of + The Son and of The Holy Ghost
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