9 May 2027 · Syro-Malankara Rite
Open in the Daily Word appAlso: മലയാളം
“It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” John 16:7
Between the Ascension and Pentecost the Church lives in the upper room. The apostles, “together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus”, are “constantly devoting themselves to prayer.” Jesus has gone to the Father; the Spirit has not yet come. It is a time of waiting, but not of emptiness: it is the Church at prayer, gathered around Mary.
Jesus had told them: “It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” His physical presence was limited to one place; the Spirit will make him present everywhere, in every heart and every altar. The Spirit “will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment”: he convicts, converts and gives courage.
In the evening Gospel we hear the beginning of Jesus' great priestly prayer: “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you… And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” The ascended Christ continues this prayer for us at the Father's right hand.
God says to Joshua as he takes up Moses' task: “Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” St Paul prays that “with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you.” Let us spend this week like the apostles: in prayer, with Mary, waiting for the Spirit.
Theme: “Waiting for the Spirit with Mary.”
Between the Ascension and Pentecost the Church waits in the upper room. Jesus has said it is better for us that he goes, for then the Advocate will come. His high-priestly prayer asks that we may all be one.
“For your immortal spirit is in all things.” Wisdom 12:1
“All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.” Acts 1:14
Apply: Pray the Rosary each day this week for a new Pentecost in your family.
“I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.” Isaiah 44:22
“It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” John 16:7
Apply: Ask the Holy Spirit to show you one sin to be healed, and confess it.
“I will take you as my people, and I will be your God.” Exodus 6:7
“That they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:21
Apply: Heal one division before Pentecost: call, visit or forgive.
The upper room teaches us to wait, pray and seek unity.
Let us prepare with Mary for the coming of the Spirit next Sunday.
Take-home resolution: Pray daily until Pentecost: “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.”
Dear brothers and sisters, we are living the days between the Ascension and Pentecost. Jesus has gone to the Father; the Spirit has not yet come. And what did the apostles do? They went to the upper room and “devoted themselves to prayer, together with Mary the mother of Jesus.”
Jesus had said something surprising: “It is to your advantage that I go away.” How can it be better that Jesus goes? Because when he was on earth he could be in one place at a time. The Spirit makes him present everywhere: in every heart, in every family, on every altar. The Spirit will convict the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment.
In the evening Gospel Jesus prays: “Father, the hour has come… This is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” He is still praying for us at the right hand of the Father.
And God says to us what he said to Joshua: “Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” This week let us do what the apostles did: pray with Mary, every day, “Come, Holy Spirit.” Amen.
Children, after Jesus went back to heaven, his friends waited in a room in Jerusalem. What were they doing? Praying, together with Mary!
Jesus had promised to send the Holy Spirit to help them. Next Sunday we will celebrate when the Spirit came!
This week, let's pray with Mary every day: “Come, Holy Spirit!”
Lord Jesus, you went to the Father so that the Advocate might come. Gather us with Mary and the apostles in prayer, make us strong and courageous, enlighten the eyes of our hearts, and send your Holy Spirit upon your Church. Amen.