It is better for you that I go

At 16,22-34; Ps 137; Jn 16,5-11
28 MAY

If Jesus did not leave, he would be a prophet like any other prophets, a priest and a king like any others. He could have also brought man back into the Law, but never could have he led him back to the truth of his nature by creation, rather to a truth even greater and more admirable. Never could he have fed him with his body and his blood. Never could he have baptized him in the Holy Spirit. Never would the doors of God’s eternal kingdom have opened for him. Never would have sins been expiated and all fault redeemed. Never could have man become a participant in the divine nature. With the death of Christ changes the nature of man. It suffices to read the hymn of St. Paul of the Letter to the Ephesians and you will see all this wealth.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favour of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us the mystery of his will in accord with his favour that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth. In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the one who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ. In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised holy Spirit, which is the first instalment of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory. Therefore, I, too, hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus and of your love for all the holy ones, do not cease giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. May the eyes of (your) hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, in accord with the exercise of his great might, which he worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens, far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things beneath his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way (Cf. Eph 1,1-23).

It is also enough to read the testimony given by John after Jesus’ death on the cross, and the word of Jesus will be revealed in all its splendour of truth and light.

Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the Sabbath, for the Sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out. An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; he knows that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may (come to) believe. For this happened so that the scripture passage might be fulfilled: “Not a bone of it will be broken.” And again another passage says: “They will look upon him whom they have pierced” (Jn 19,31-37).

If Jesus does not go away, the river of the Holy Spirit and of grace might never be poured on humanity in order to vivify, heal, cure, regenerate it and give it back to all truth.

But 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.

With the glorious resurrection Jesus transforms his body of flesh into a spiritual body and can be made eternal, true and real life of every one of his disciples. This is why Jesus must leave, to remain forever with us. The mystery is great, infinite, divine and eternal.

Mother of God, Angels and Saints arrange that Christians become a mystery in the mystery of Jesus.