We
easily recognize Jesus in pictures and paintings and statues.
Even
though he's presented to us in thousands of variations.
From
DaVinci to Picasso.
No
doubt we're helped by the settings and by the context in the artwork.
We
know that's him on every crucifix, and at every Last Supper.
Thanks
to the Gospels and the artwork they inspired,
And
to our own imaginations,
We
each have our mental image of what Jesus looked like when he walked
the earth.
We
also have our own images of what Jesus will look like when he comes
again.
When
he returns to earth in glory.
The
Gospels and the painters and the movie makers have helped us there
too.
He's
coming again.
And
when he does, we need to recognize him.
Whether
it's at the end of all time, or just the end of our
time.
In
our Gospel today, Jesus explains why he went away.
He
says it was best for us that he go.
Because
when he went, he sent the Spirit to be with us forever, until the end
of time.
It's
that assurance that lets us view his departure as a joyful event.
We
can truly celebrate his departure next Sunday—the Feast of the
Ascension.
Because
we know that we also have the Feast of Pentecost—the arrival of the
Spirit.
When
Jesus was here, he was just one person.
He
had taken on the limitations of human existence.
Even
in his glorified body after his resurrection, he observed most limits
of space and time.
The
Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, has no such limits.
He
can be everywhere at once, forever.
For
the past few weeks our Gospel readings have focused on Jesus' close
relationships.
With
the Father and the Spirit and with us.
I
am in the Father and the Father is in me.
If
you have seen me you have seen the Father.
We
will come to dwell within you.
I
am in you and you are in me.
In
our minds it's easy to see Jesus walking through Israel 2000 years
ago.
It's
not hard to see him coming again.
And
if we stop, look and listen,
We'll
see him right here, right now, with us today.
Within
ourselves.
And
within the thousands upon thousands of variations of ourselves.
Tuesday, 6th Week of Easter
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