May 17, 2020 

On Maundy Thursday evening Jesus addresses his disciples, telling them that he will not leave them as orphans [or desolate]. Jesus knows he is going to the Father but will give them another Helper. They don’t need another Helper yet because Jesus is still with them, but will soon when Jesus ascends to the Father. That Helper Jesus will send is also known as the Paraclete, a Greek word that translates as a defense attorney.

The disciples don’t realize it yet but they will indeed need someone who will defend them and give them words to speak on their behalf when confronted by opposition. If it were not for Pentecost (when the Spirit came upon the Christian community), the Heavenly Father’s purpose and Christ’s own work would never have been accomplished.

Jesus knew that his disciples would not understand at this point; but Jesus discloses the divine secret that, when he left them, their loss would be compensated for by a greater blessing than that of his presence bodily. Another Helper would come in his place, to dwell with and even within them forever.

We being Jesus’ disciples as well, realize that we are not alone. Under the control of the Holy Spirit we abandon ourselves completely to the control of the Holy Spirit and allow Pentecost to happen to us. It has happened to us – even from the time of our baptism in Jesus’ name. Now we let it happen to others through us, and it will become increasingly apparent that we are not orphans or desolate. We are Spirit-gifted, vessels in extending the Kingdom of heaven in this world we live in.