4/5/2019   2 Comments (at the bottom of this reflection.)

Today's question:
"Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, 'A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me'?"

From John 16:
18 So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice

Reflection from Julia Dulek 

Jesus' disciples couldn't understand the message that he would depart, that he would die, and that he would rise from death. They didn't understand that they would grieve at his death and then rejoice at his resurrection. He would be with them always, they would find him in their hearts.

I understand what he is saying, but it makes me think about how that understanding has changed for me over the years. I knew Jesus as a child and as I grew into an adolescent. My relationship with him was that of faith, but not one that made any major effect on me. I knew the stories and the history. I went through the phase of "not seeing" Jesus in the years that I felt I didn't need an organized church family to support me. I was doing quite well on my own, believing in God and in Jesus and I thought I didn't need anything more.
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Then I grew up. As an adult, I returned to practice my faith and began to learn that I didn't know much of anything about our Lord. I began to "see" the Lord in a new way. I now see him with different eyes, with a heart that feels his presence in my life. Jesus has become so much more than the parables, the miracles, and the explanations of what he had said. My everyday life has become more complicated, noisier, and more intrusive into my spiritual world. It's difficult to find the time to sit quietly with the Lord in this chaotic world. I find that when I make the effort to quiet myself and listen, the Lord is sitting next to me, holding me, encouraging me, and loving me. I find that the Holy Spirit has been present in my life and actions when I look back on things that have happened. It's that niggling "little voice" that I'm so fond of. How have others "seen" Jesus? Will they "see" him? What can we do to help them on that journey?

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Comments

Harolyn Thogersen
Fri, Apr 5, 2019 at 10:11 am
We can help with testimonies, like yours, Julia; thank you. The early disciples actually knew Jesus, the person, were taught by him, witnessed His work, and it was still such a leap for them to hold on to their faith that he was indeed the Savior. At this point in scripture, the disciples did not know what would become of Jesus, about the Holy Spirit, and that they, the disciples would, in fact, continue to work to share the Good News following Jesus’ departure. 

Thanks to having been taught and read what has been recorded in our Bibles, even though we did not know Jesus like the original disciples did, we can want to, and then listen for Him, feel Him, “sitting next to me … encouraging me, and loving me,” as you say, Julia. We can do as you do, as you continue your discipleship and encourage others to listen, hear and see and be guided by Him.

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Irene Taylor
Sun, Apr 7, 2019 at 7:38 pm
“Jesus has become so much more than the parables, the miracles, and the explanations of what he had said.”

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About Today's Author

Julia Dulek is a long-time member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Des Plaines. She is a 39 year resident of Des Plaines.

Her current ministries include teaching Religious Education (6th grade), lector and Eucharistic minister.
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Julia is married to her husband, Jim, and they have two married daughters. Julia and Jim recently became proud grandparents to their grandson Morgan Avery.

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