May 17, 2020- Sixth Sunday of Easter

"The Healing of the Holy Spirit and Our Blessed Mother"

Audio Clip

It begins quite early in any life. From the moment we're born and, I suppose, to the moment we pass away, we rely on the help of others for the things we need most. An infant cries out for her mother for relief from hunger, while those failing in health cast their eyes on those they've raised for comfort and love during their final moments. The longer that I live, the greater is my understanding that no one is capable of a self-sustaining life --- we are dependent on those around us for everything which makes us healthy and happy.

This is the value of community. Community presents a person with the opportunity to share the gifts they've been given with those who are in need of healing. In its purest form, the giver needs to possess the freedom to reach out to others in her own way and on her own terms --- this allows the gift to be authentic, to be an expression of love, which is more pleasing to God than a gift that is given from obligation --- the belief that God expects me to do this. I'm happy to say that we've seen an outpouring of these authentic gifts of love during recent days --- from medical professionals, from grocery store and food delivery specialists, and from many others who have made available the everyday items we need to live a normal life. Some have given of themselves by their presence in a drive-by birthday greeting, or by making a phone call or sending a note of concern asking if someone is ok --- and some have even shared their love through the sound of their voice in song.

What is clear to me, is that during an age in which many people ask the question, "Is there a God?", the resounding answer of "yes" has been given through the willingness of the many who have reached out to lift the spirits and the welfare of others, sometimes placing their own lives at risk. During the past few months, I believe that there has been more evidence of God's Holy Spirit being active in the world than at any time in recent years.

In this week's Gospel of John, Jesus is preparing His disciples for His Ascension to Heaven. Jesus knew very well that His followers believed in His divinity, but they were emotionally attached to his humanity. The time had come to establish the Christian church --- and now was the time for the disciples to take the responsibility from Jesus for the evangelization of the worldwide community. But, as long as Jesus was with them in bodily form, his disciples would look for Him to run the show. A transition had to occur, and Jesus knew that they faced an enormous challenge. For His messengers to have the confidence to take the reins, and to possess the courage to succeed, Jesus and His Father understood that they would need Divine strength, a virtue which could only be delivered through the Holy Spirit.

Our pandemic experience has likely stirred similar concerns for our God. The Father and Son know the challenge we face infinitely better than we know it, and it is They who are prepared to share their Holy Spirit with us. But, there is another advocate who God has declared essential in this mission. One who hears our prayers and desires --- one who presents our petitions to God for our healing and welfare --- our Blessed Mother Mary.

Among the disciples of Jesus, no one has shared authentic, loving acts of community more beautifully than our Blessed Mother. Mary's entire life was a selfless act of love and devotion --- her "yes" to God's invitation to be the Mother of Jesus, for Mary was given the question of the "whole salvation or condemnation of souls". And, Mary's spiritual "yes" to Jesus' appointing her the mother of mankind during His crucifixion, for Mary was given the responsibility to rescue and save men for eternity as our Protectress, Consoler and Advocate. The Virgin Mary's will has always been perfectly aligned with the will of God.

In the book "The Mystical City of God", it is said that "Mary has given the blessed Trinity more glory, praise and thanksgiving than all of the universe combined," and that she is so great in the eyes of God that the blessed Trinity "considers itself fully repaid and compensated for having created the world." When we only begin to understand her brilliance, we begin to appreciate the immense gift we have received from our loving God in her motherhood. And, so, it pleases our Lord Jesus when we show His mother the love and reverence she deserves. As Jesus shared:

"Just as I have told you, that he who sees Me sees My Father, and he who knows Me, knows also Him; so I now tell you, that He who knows my Mother, knows Me; he who hears Her, hears Me; and who honors Her, honors Me. All of you shall have Her as your Mother, as your Superior and Head . . . . She shall answer your doubts, solve your difficulties; in Her, those who seek Me shall always find Me; for I shall remain in Her until the end of the world."

In the days ahead, as we seek to heal from this pandemic, let us pray that through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, that God's grace may better prepare us to share our love through acts of self-sacrifice with those in our community, just as Mary did. And, may this same grace, give us the spiritual wisdom to know how to love and to serve Jesus and our Mother Mary more beautifully and more intimately.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.