The word increases the intensity of two heartbreaking departures

Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.

A reflection on the daily readings, for Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter, by Father Perry.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

+ Parting words. Final words. They are usually very powerful and meaningful. As a priest who has often visited the bedside of the sick and dying, there are two “final words” that I have heard again and again —

“Father, tell my children my two biggest hopes. That they stay united as family; and that they stay close to God and church.”

If I were to try to say it in just two words, it would be unity and integrity. Both Paul and Jesus said these two things, and prayed for these two things. And they both noted that dangers were lurking out there. People would attack them, their word, and their teachings. People would try to pervert the truth. And it would take hard work to stand up to the hostility and indifference that they would be facing.

Jesus prayed his prayer aloud, with eyes lifted up to God. Paul prayed and cried, and they all cried, as they believed this was the last time they would ever set eyes on Paul. Both faced the reality that they had to depart and that their followers needed to be ready for this; thus, the final words. They did not make light of it. Paul actually kind of admonishes his followers and doesn’t exactly threaten them, but he warns them of the need for hard work, to commit to helping the weak, and not expect “silver and gold,” even quoting Jesus’ words —

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Some people find saying goodbye to be difficult and even distasteful. So there are expressions that have come up to say goodbye without saying goodbye like “cheerio!”, or the light-hearted and rhyming, “See ya later, alligator”, or “After a while, crocodile.”

But Paul said it with much tears and hugging and kissing and loud weeping. Jesus said it in deep prayer, visibly raising his eyes to the heavens, and invoking God’s care over and love for his disciples.

Both Paul and Jesus in these passages today increase the intensity of their imminent departures so that the vacancy they will feel at their leaving will increase much more the gift of the Spirit, and the grace and blessings that would be theirs.

And oh, what indescribable grace and blessings were soon to come to them. Were they, and are we, ready?!

Pentecost, here you come!