Today is Day 32 of our reflections on the gospel of John; thanks so much for joining us!  Contact us at our website here: www.markandkatiemartinez.com

A Reflection on John 14:15-31

“I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you.” (v 18)

Jesus says to us: “I know it is sometimes hard for you to understand. There are times when you feel my Presence so keenly in the room with you that you could reach out and touch Me, and other times when you wonder if you every really felt Me at all.

You wonder how it could be that I will come to you, especially in your doubt that I am there at all. It is ok, little one, to wonder. It is ok to not have all the answers. It is ok to admit that you don’t understand.

But know this: you are not alone. I am with you. I am with you like the sun shining warm on your back, like the air that you breathe, like the beat of your heart. Close your eyes and listen. Listen to my voice in rhythm with your heart: I am here, I am here, I am here.

The Spirit, the Counselor, the Advocate, He is within you. And where He is, I dwell also. We have come to you and made our home with you. So, child, you are never alone. You are not alone when the loneliness becomes overwhelming. You are not alone in the shame of your sin you worry you will never rise from. You are not alone when despair creeps in and it feels as though all hope is lost. Child, you are never alone.

Close your eyes. Listen to the rhythm of your breath. Feel my Spirit within you like the wind. Open the eyes of your heart to my Presence. I am here, I am here, I am here.”

Oh Jesus, thank you for the gift of your presence within me. In the moments when I cannot feel your presence, let me never forget your promise that you are with me, and that you are a God who keeps His promises.

Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved worldwide.