John 14: 27-31
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I.
“And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Letting Go
Jesus sounds like he could be doling out some Catholic guilt: “If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father” (John 14:28). In my study of the Five Love Languages, marriage counselor and author Gary Chapman advises anyone, whether spouse, child, or friend, to never use the ultimatum “if you loved me.”
Although the disciples’ objections are unrecorded, we can imagine them pleading with Jesus to stay longer and to fight back against his executioners. After all, Jesus’ friends abandoned their careers, homes, and families to follow him. Where would they go next?
Little did they know at the time, Jesus’ death released him from the confines of time and space. At Pentecost, Jesus breathed his Spirit, allowing all believers to be with him always. Sometimes, we need to let go for a greater good and place our trust in God’s plan.
—Ty Wahlbrink, SJ, is a Jesuit scholastic of the Midwest Province teaching economics and entrepreneurship at Loyola Academy in Wilmette, IL.
Prayer
Lord, I don’t really know how to “let go”. I don’t really know what to do to give You control of my life, but I am coming to You in humility of heart to admit that I can do nothing in my own strength and to confess my need of You in my life. Lord, I pray that Your grace and mercy would lead and guide me and take control.
But Lord, I also ask that You would teach me how to submit my life to You. Show me how to abide in You day by day, and instruct me how to live in spirit and truth. Help me Lord, to give control of my life over to You in every way, and to become the person You would have me be. Thank You Lord, that You have not given up on me and I ask You to teach me Your way from this day forward. In Jesus' name I pray.
—Published on jesuitresource.org, author unknown
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