Mtr Mary Trainor

O Spirit of life, O Spirit of God, in every need thou bringest aid  …*

Dear friend,

Going away seems inevitable. Moving. Marriage. Divorce. Back to school. Graduation. New job. Dying.

It’s not something reserved for only some folks. Everyone goes away eventually.

Jesus is going away, also. In Chapter 14 of John’s Gospel, he begins what is called the Farewell Discourse, preparing his disciples for how to live once he is gone. 

This large teaching block spans four chapters. In today’s portion Jesus says they will not be left alone. He leaves them—and us—with the Holy Spirit as comfort and guide.

It seems to me the Holy Spirit gets short shrift compared to the other members of the Trinity—the Father and the Son.

…thou comest forth from God's great throne, from God, the Father and the Son  …

The Spirit is my intended conversation partner as I navigate each day’s unfolding path. I ask, I tell, I seek out the spirit. Some might call this prayer. Maybe it is, though when I pray in earnest, it also involves Father and Son.

Here’s an example of conversation: If I have a particularly challenging meeting with a person or a group, the Holy Spirit comes with me. I distinctly seek to feel the presence of God’s Spirit. Or, that’s my plan.

Full confession: I don’t do this reliably enough. And on the days I absentmindedly leave the Spirit out of my itinerary, I don’t do as well. Not by a long shot.

While I believe that the Spirit comes along anyway, invited or uninvited, outcomes are simply better when we are aligned. When it’s time for my next “going away” party, I want the Spirit at the top of my list.

O Spirit of Life, O Spirit of God.

Mtr Mary

*Hymn 505, The Hymnal 1982. Author: Johann Niedling, 1602-1668