1Reflection for May 11 Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Easter: John 16:5-11

Gospel: John 16:5-11

Jesus said to his disciples: "Now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts. But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.  

And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin, because they do not believe in me; righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned."

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Reflection:    

Have you ever experienced saying goodbye? 

Saying goodbye—especially a final farewell to a loved one or a dear friend—is one of life’s most heart-wrenching experiences. In our humanity, we often wish that goodbyes never had to exist. But the truth remains: each of us will face a moment when we must say goodbye, at a time appointed by God, according to His divine will. 

Yet even in the face of that reality, we are invited to live lives of meaning and purpose. Let us not allow our goodbye to be easily forgotten. Instead, may we strive to leave behind a legacy of love, kindness, and faith. 

Let us sow goodness each day—small acts of compassion, words of encouragement, silent prayers for others—that will live on in the hearts of those we leave behind. So when our time comes, the memory of our deeds will speak of a life well-lived in the service of God and neighbor. 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus was gently preparing His disciples for His departure. He was saying goodbye—not with despair, but with love and the promise of the Holy Spirit. Over two thousand years have passed, yet Jesus remains alive in our hearts, still transforming lives. Why? Because He offered the greatest act of love: laying down His life for our salvation. 

As followers of Christ, we are called to do the same—not in grand gestures, but in daily acts of selflessness and faithfulness. May we, like Jesus, leave behind a lasting imprint of God’s love in this world. And when our final goodbye comes, may others remember not just our name, but the Christ they encountered through our lives. – Marino J. Dasmarinas