Today is "Novena Sunday" – as it could be referred to. We know that a "novena" is usually a nine day prayer in preparation for some event or feast. "Novena" coming from the two Latin words: "novem diem" – "nine days!" This Sunday is in the midst of the quiet, meditative period where we, with the Apostles, gather in the "Upper Room" to once again get the full effects and benefit of celebrating the great birthday of the Church a week from today on Pentecost.
Before ascending into heaven – after bringing the physical manifestation of his presence on earth as far as he could take it, according to his Father's will, Jesus was taken up in the clouds and resumed his position at the right hand of the Father in heaven. It was a wonderful day and a wonderful sight for the Apostles to see. It was also very important for them because now the time was quickly arriving for them to go and do what he had told them to do: to baptize, to confirm, to make Eucharist present, to forgive sins, to preach, to teach, to rule, to guide in his place – for the good of mankind until the end of time.
But first he told them to go back to Jerusalem and wait for the coming of the "other Advocate" – "the Father's Gift" – the "Spirit of truth" who would remind them of what he taught and teach in depth what it all meant – and not only them, but continually throughout the ages of the Church that would be launched on that day when the Spirit finally arrived.
And so they waited! And they prayed! There was silence! There was anticipation! There was joy in the air! There was a total emptying of themselves so that they could receive all that God would give them!
One of the things no doubt that they reflected upon was the very simple, yet o so powerful dynamic of the life of Jesus – their best friend – who was taken from their sight but never to leave them alone: the death and resurrection dynamic. Because of how Jesus embraced it, and endured it and lived it – it is now a reliable tool for all of us as well. It really works! And because of the merits of what he did: it is as effective for us as it was for him. Though it did not forgive his sins – because he had none – our sins can now be forgiven because of it; and the same newness of life would be available to all of us as it was and is for him!
In the second reading from the letter of St. Peter we hear that it is only to the extent that we share in the sufferings of Christ that we will be eligible to share in the glory of his resurrection. Another way of saying this is that it is only through the "red cross" of suffering that we can attain the "gold cross" of victory!
Jesus Priestly Prayer in the gospel passage is an amazing peek into the intimate and personal relationship that Jesus had with his Father. It is almost as if we are eavesdropping at a moment of intense prayer. For this "hour" Jesus proceeded resolutely, confidently and even joyfully every moment of his earthly life: the hour when the prince of darkness would deliver him to death. But he knew that this prince had no real power and that he and his Father would be victorious – but nonetheless it was for him in his humanity a moment of deep emotion, deep trust, deep hope, deep love that he was addressing to his Father.
And he prayed not only that his Father glorify him now; but he also prayed for the Apostles who were given to him to be his best friends, to train to become his ambassadors when the time was right. He prays for their protection and their safety in the world – who would respect them as much as they respected him.
Thank you Jesus for all you have done in becoming our Way, our Truth and our Life. Thank you for gathering your Apostles and preparing them for a difficult job that lay ahead for them. Thank you for the Gift of the Holy Spirit that we will celebrate next Sunday – when the novena is over – and we will recall the day that the Spirit was sent out to renew the face of the earth!
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