Preached May 26
For the past few weeks I have been feeling somewhat like an orphan. As many of you know my mother passed away last month and my father has been gone for over 8 years. So I no longer have parents and that kind of makes me an orphan. Now I know at my age I really don’t need a parent to take care of me. In fact I am a parent myself and have a wonderful supportive family. But, every once in while I get that orphan feeling. Like when I was looking at the 150 Anniversary book thinking how my mother will enjoy reading it. Or wondering if she will want to attend the mother daughter banquet. Then I remember and I get that little feeling that I have been left alone. Those of you who have lost your parents know what I mean.
I realize you can have this same feeling when anyone who is a part of your life dies. Because there is an emptiness. A loss. A void that cannot be completely filled. I think Jesus knew that when he would die, his disciples would have that feeling. They would be lost, empty, alone. They would have a void in their lives. After those years following Jesus, listening to what he told them to do, the disciples would feel lost and alone without Jesus to continue to lead them. And this emptiness would not only be in day to day lives but their faith in God would be shaken.
In today’s text Jesus tells his disciples what to do when they no longer have his physical presence. He tells them not to worry, because they will not be alone. He explains to them that he will send an advocate to be with them. An advocate, someone or in this case something to be a presence among and within them. Jesus will send an advocate to help and support them. Encourage and empower them. Jesus tells the disciples the advocate he will send is the Spirit of Truth - what we call the Holy Spirit - Jesus says this Spirit will be with them and in them The Spirit will be a part of them.
My parents were my last personal connection to the past, to my heritage. Right now I am spending time (lots of time) going through pictures, dishes, nick knacks, many many items that I know were “in the family” for years. As I was growing up my great-grandmother, grandmother and my mother told me stories about people in our family. These stories were my connection to relatives of the past, how they were related to me, they came from, what they contributed to make us who we are as a family. Some of the paintings on our walls were painted by my great-grandmother. Some of the dishes have names written them, some which are so far back in history am not sure how old they are. I think one may be my great-grandmother’s grandmother. There are a few items from Sharadin’s Department Store, the store my great-grandfather started, and some books my great-grandmother used when she taught in the one room school house. I even found the cake top from my parent’s wedding cake. Yes there are a lot of things. But when it comes down to it they are just things. Items of the past, a few may have an emotional tie, a sentimental attachment but most are just old things.
The true connection to my family is inside. It is the memories, the stories. The knowing that a little piece of my great-grandmother’s creativity is in me. That my grandmothers love of sewing somehow found a place in my heart. And that my parents love of reading was passed on to me. It is also the values the thought process, the out look on life that is inside of me. How all the stories told to me throughout the years became a part of me and helped form who I am. They are in me, a part me. The things have nothing to do with that.
Jesus left his followers with so many stories so many memories that helped form their lives, so much information to teach others. And when he left them Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be with them so they would not be alone. The Holy Spirit continued to be with them and to be in them - a part of them. The Holy Spirit carried them through all those uncertain times giving them strength to continue teaching the words of Jesus. This is the same Holy Spirit that is a part of us today. The Spirit is part of who we were and who we are. The Spirit pushes us on and helps us remember where we came from and how we should live. The Spirit reminds us we are followers of Jesus.
We have too stories of our faith and it is hearing and remembering these stories that the foundation of how we live our lives is formed. And we always have the Holy Spirit within us. For 2000 years this Spirit has stirred us on, empowered us, and strengthened us. Helped us turn those stories of our past, of who we were, into stories of who we should and can be.
No I am not an orphan I have many memories and stories of my family. But I also have the stories of Jesus. And the Holy Spirit is within me always, comforting, encouraging and empowering me to use all of those stories to be who I am.
I just as you are never alone! Thanks be to God.
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