"Let not your hearts be troubled."

Dearest Ones,

"Let not your hearts be troubled." How often have these sweet words of Jesus comforted and cheered millions in time of sorrow. Although his own heart was filled with dread and fear, as he was soon to be denied by his friends, scourged and crucified, at the Last Supper, Jesus took the time to console his friends, the apostles on Holy Thursday night. Instead of thinking of his own comfort, he thinks only of others. I can relate this to a very dear friend, who died from cancer last week at the age of 71. As she lay in her hospital bed, knowing she had only a short time to live, she asked each of her six children to her bedside, one at a time, so she could tell each of them goodbye, individually. Then she phoned each of her eight brothers and sisters to bid them goodbye, also. What a lasting memory they have! I don't think they will ever forget that. She knew their hearts were breaking, so she tried to ease their pain. Just as Jesus thought only of others, even in the face of death, so she thought only of others. During Lent, I like to read in John, Chapters 13 - 17, when Jesus pours out his love and tries to comfort his friends at the Last Supper. He asks them only to believe in Him, even if they don't understand; to walk by faith not by sight. His followers were confused, filled with sorrow and despair, as Jesus talks about his coming death. He felt so sorry for them because he was leaving them. I consider this time in Lent to be the holiest time of the year, as we meditate on the last moments spent by Our Lord on this earth as a man. Heavenly words flowed from His sacred lips, as He tried to tell how much He loved His friends. They listened in sorrow, as He prayed for them always to be true to Him and to await the Holy Spirit, who would help them to understand. When everyone else is upset, true followers of Christ need to keep their minds quiet. He told them how to keep their hearts and minds quiet. Things will get better. Believe. He promised he would not forget about them when He goes to heaven. He promises to prepare a place in heaven for them, just as he now prepares a place for each one of us. The Apostles couldn't bear to hear that Jesus was leaving them. To Him they had looked for help in all their difficulties, for comfort in all their sorrows and disappointments. Now He was leaving and darkness filled their hearts. But the Savior's words were full of hope. He knew Satan would try to control their minds and cause them to be depressed. So He pointed away from "the things which are seen," to "the things which are not seen." (2 Cor. 4:18) Jesus calls them His friends. (John 16) A friend is someone with whom to share your deepest secrets. Jesus shared all his secrets as He told them everything about His Father and what their reward would be for following Him. He said they would never be alone ever again because He would send His Holy Spirit, who would help them to understand the things He was saying. The Holy Spirit would always be their Comforter - a friend to turn to when in doubt about their faith. Someone to trust completely. He promised that if they asked the Father anything in His name, it would be given to them. What are we waiting for? What more could He promise? With the Holy Spirit, we have everything, even when things seem dark and dreary, the Holy Spirit wants only our good. The Holy Spirit will lead us to the truth. If you have the time in these last days of Lent, find a quiet spot and let Jesus speak to you, in John, Chapters 13-17.

God's love and peace be yours,
Sister francelle