Jn 14:27-31a
[Jesus said to his disciples,] 27“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. 28You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. 29And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. 30I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, 31but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.”
I AM GOING AWAY. Parting is such sweet sorrow, so the poet writes. The Lord seems to be giving his last instructions to his disciples before he leaves them. Jesus does not leave them insurances but assurances. He does not leave them property to divide among themselves but love to impart around. He does not leave them worries but hopes that life goes on indeed.
A friend was crying to me because his father died and he was not able to say his goodbye and ask his father’s blessing and forgiveness. The more he would listen to you now, I remember telling him. He would be kinder from heaven to watch over you and bless you. I myself would sometimes drop by the grave of my father to ask his blessings on any undertaking I would start. And I would feel him guiding me.
So much more will our Lord be with us and grant us peace as we get up and go.