It Is Better
Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
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.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you.
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Wow, this is a very powerful statement from Jesus to his disciples, “it is better for you that I go.” The disciples thought, of course, that Christ’s leaving would be the worst possible thing for their faith. But it was actually for their great gain. After Christ’s Death, Resurrection, and Ascension, the Holy Spirit is sent. Christ had been with the apostles, but the Holy Spirit would be in the apostles.
Many people think that if they had lived at the time of Christ, near Him, that their faith would have been tremendously strong. But look at the example of the apostles. Even though they were very close to Christ while He walked the earth, their faith was much, much weaker at that time than it was after He left, and the Holy Spirit made His dwelling in them. God the Holy Spirit supplies power where our faith is weak. We live in a privileged time, a time in which God Himself promises to make our faith strong. We possess the Holy Spirit through Baptism, and His gifts and His power through Confirmation. During prayer, reflect on the real importance, the real Gift, the real Life that comes through these Sacraments.
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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