Don't be sad

I love this passage from today's gospel that is taken from John 16:5-11. You can never stop reflecting upon it and it still gives you new insight into life and the love of God. Jesus tells his disciples that he is going away. He says, "I know you are sad but it is for your own good!" In this way, the Spirit can be free to enter into your hearts and fill you with hope and belief that you can continue my mission. Then, Jesus tells us that the Spirit will help us to see the truth about three things. First of all, the truth about sin. It is not about breaking a law or doing what is wrong. It is about failing to make the right choice. It is about failing to choose life rather than death because that is what it means to believe in Jesus. Secondly, the truth about who was in the right. It is about seeing in a new way. It is not about seeing Jesus as one whom we can hold on to and won't let go, like Mary Magdalene in the garden. Jesus said, "Let me go." Allow me to be what you could never imagine. Allow me to be found within your hearts. Allow me to be found in the goodness and beauty of those around you. Thirdly and finally, the truth about "the prince of this world", the one who is called Satan among other names. This is the power of evil that blinds us, that prevents us from seeing what is good and beautiful in our world, what is the image and reflection of God's love for the world. For those of us who believe, this power of evil has been defeated because we have chosen life, we see Jesus in a new way by seeing each other in a new light and that light dispels the darkness of cynicism, disillusionment and mistrust. This is why Jesus has entrusted us with his mission. "Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe."