6th Sunday of Easter (A)/ The gift of presence
  Acts 8:5-17/Ps 66/ 1 Pt 3:15-18/ Jn 14:15-21
  Introduction
 

          There was a story of a mother who was telling her little daughter about her dying condition.  The mother was so touched when she saw her child crying before her, and to console her she said, No my dear child, please do not cry. I will die but I will never leave you, I will only be transformed into an eagle, and I will fly wherever you go and my bright eyes will always look after you. And whenever you fall, I will surely open my wide wings to catch you. I love you. And I will never leave behind, someone I love. This story inspired a composer to write the beautiful song …On Eagle’s Wings.

  
  Background
 
  1. In today’s Gospel, Christ is telling his apostles that soon he will leave them behind and he will go back to the Father.  Because of this, there’s a feeling of fear and loneliness among the apostles, saying perhaps... What now? What will happen to us? Surely, by this time, the leaders of the Jews and the Roman soldiers are after us and ready to kill us. They felt deceived. They taught that he was the Messiah and yet they will be left alone to face all these difficulties.

  2. But Jesus assured them of his eternal presence: “I will not leave you orphans.  In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me.”  They became secured when they realized that Christ will stay with them in Spirit - forever.  Because of this the apostles had the courage to face all persecutions and martyrdom, which give way to the birth of the early Christian communities - the Church.  We still believe that his eternal presence in Spirit is working in the church until now.  For we are his chosen children and He will never leave us behind… the people he loved.

  3. This biblical scenario is reflected in our forth coming liturgical celebrations.  Forty days after Easter Sunday, we will celebrate this Thursday, the feast of the Lord’s Ascension, and then 10 days after, (50 days after Easter) we celebrate the Fest of the Pentecost which will assure us of Christ’s eternal presence in his Spirit.
  
  Reflection:  
 
  1. Sometimes we look around and we see people sad, cold and alone.  I believe that our consoling presence is the greatest gift we can give to them. They need people who are willing to listen to them, persons who can give them special attentions. A simple tap on their shoulders with encouraging words, “you can do it”, can be a big help in facing their present challenges in life. Mother Teresa, whenever she touches the beggars and the lepers in India, she sees the presence of Christ in them and the poor experience hope; in seeing the presence of a loving God in her. 

  2. Mother’s day is fast approaching. Children are thinking of giving material gifts to their mothers. Oftentimes I advice children to stay in their homes just for that day, maybe do the cocking, clean the house and wash the dishes and do the laundry and give their mother a rest. It will be a nice gift already. I may suggest also to husbands who are so busy looking for the best gift for their wives: Your presence indeed, is your special gift to someone you love. Whenever, I go to the park and do some jogging in the afternoon, I see old married couples, walking together and holding hands so tight, smiling and laughing with each other, then slowly I learn know,  what love truly means -“togetherness.”

  3. Above all, it is important to feel the presence of Christ, in our lives.  Every time I raise the Eucharist in the mass, I want to say to the people to have no fear; Jesus Christ is here present and alive in our midst.  Whenever I go to hospital, I try to have them feel that Christ is concern to them and one with them in sufferings. Indeed Christ is present here and now and with us always, maybe in different forms. For those who are really in love, there is no such thing as moments of real goodbyes, nor does anyone actually leave. Every apparent separation is only just a transformation of every human relationship to a higher dimension in which we will feel more secure in his loving presence…
 
  Conclusion  
 

        I want to end my homily with the story of a dying husband who calls her young wife at his deathbed.  Looking at her eyes, he said, “I am dying and leaving you behind. Will you still love me and remember me after I die? The wife smiled and looked at his teary eyes, saying….my love, you will never die, As long as I live - you live.”