Scripture Scribbles: May 25, 2025

the Gospel

John 14:23-29

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Whoever loves me will keep my word,

and my Father will love him,

and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.

Whoever does not love me does not keep my words;

yet the word you hear is not mine

but that of the Father who sent me.

“I have told you this while I am with you.

The Advocate, the Holy Spirit,

whom the Father will send in my name,

will teach you everything

and remind you of all that I told you.

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.

You 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.

And now I have told you this before it happens,

so that when it happens you may believe.”

the scribble

As I leave my little one in the arms of another, tears flow down her cheeks in hysterics. My two-year old gives me a concerned look as I reassure him I will return to the nursery. My five year-old clings to me, trying to hide as I drop him off in his classroom. My older two, trusting I will return, flee to their classrooms, carefree and happy.

Reading this Gospel, reminds me of a theory I learned about healthy attachments. Small children get upset when their parents, their safe haven, leave. Eventually, they calm down because they trust their parents will return. 

So too, it is with our Lord. Once the disciples encountered Jesus’ Love, they were afraid for him to leave. Just as a gentle and loving parent, he reassured them he would send The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to be with them. 

His presence is still felt, and He will return. Jesus calls us to Trust Him in this. He may not shield us from suffering, but He comforts us. The deeper we know Him and allow Love in, the deeper we can trust, similar to an older child who still feels her parents’ presence when she is not with them. She knows she can courageously take on the day.

What beauty we have, though, to encounter Jesus and receive His Love in the Eucharist. Our Lord does not abandon us. He leaves behind a love note in life’s backpack - Himself, daily in bread and wine - fully present to us. 

Therefore, do not be troubled dear children, who love Him so deeply. He will return. He promised. In the meantime, we can immerse fully in our daily lives courageously with the Holy Spirit to guide us. 

Today’s devotion was written by Diana Giard