Reflection for May 12 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:

Are we afraid of separation?

There is a quiet sadness in the words of Jesus in our Gospel today. He tells the disciples, “Now I am going to the One who sent me.” We can only imagine how deeply these words pierced their hearts. Their teacher, leader, healer, father figure, and closest confidant would soon be leaving them. The One who walked with them, comforted them, and gave meaning to their lives would no longer be physically present among them.

At some point in our lives, we too experience the pain of separation. We know the sorrow of letting go, the loneliness of absence, and the ache of losing someone dear to us. Separation is one of the deepest wounds of the human heart because we were created to love, to belong, and to remain connected with one another.

Yet Jesus does not leave His disciples empty-handed. Before He departs, He assures them of the abiding presence of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit — the divine companion who will guide, strengthen, comfort, and remind them that they are never alone. Even when Jesus is no longer visible to their eyes, His Spirit will continue to dwell within them and lead them every step of the way.

The same promise is given to us today. In moments when we feel abandoned, uncertain, or afraid, the Holy Spirit gently whispers to our hearts that God remains with us. When the world changes, when people leave, and when life becomes uncertain, the presence of God remains constant and faithful.

Someday, we too will leave this world. Our mortal bodies will pass away, and our loved ones may grieve our absence. But beyond the sadness of parting, we pray that the love we shared, the kindness we offered, and the faith we lived out will continue to inspire those whose lives we have touched. In the end, what will matter most is not how long we lived, but how deeply we loved and how faithfully we walked with God.

This is the reality of life: there is a time for everything. Yet we need not live in fear, for as long as we believe in Jesus, we are never truly separated from Him. His love conquers even death, and His Spirit remains with us always.

As we continue our journey in this life, may we ask ourselves: when the time comes for us to leave this world, will we leave behind hearts that were healed by our love, strengthened by our faith, and drawn closer to God because we chose to live in the Spirit of Christ?— Marino J. Dasmarinas