today's other readings are Acts 14: 19-28 and Psalm 145
During these last few weeks of the 50-day Easter season, we find that our weekday mass readings are already beginning to shift their focus from the celebration of Jesus' resurrection to his departure (Ascension Sunday, May 28/29) and the coming of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost Sunday, June 4/5).
Our gospel today is proof of this. In this reading Jesus offers the apostles, and subsequently to us, His peace. He has also begun the "long goodbye", in which He reminds them that yes, He will soon be leaving them. Yes, they can be troubled by the thought of His departure - the One that taught them, guided them, and nurtured them will soon not be with them. any longer. But they will not be alone. For the Holy Spirit will now be with them. And as we read in the Acts of the Apostles, that Spirit will inspire them to continue His work.
At times in our lives we have to say goodbye - when a family member of close friend moves away, or when a loved one dies. And the sadness and pain we will feel can be so great. But, the Holy Spirit is also with us. The Spirit will help us and sustain us. We have to take a cue from the Apostles to trust this will be the case when our goodbyes come.