It is better for you
Published May 12, 2026 12:05 am
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Updated May 11, 2026 06:13 pm
REFLECTIONS TODAY
When Jesus speaks of his impending departure at the Last Supper, a pall of gloom covers the Upper Room where he and his disciples are gathered to celebrate the Passover feast. Until this time, the apostles are still waiting for Jesus to “reveal himself to the world,” to announce to all and sundry that indeed he is the Messiah of God. But here, instead, he speaks of grief filling their hearts. Things are not going the way they expect. Jesus is soon leaving them to manage on their own.
In this atmosphere of sadness, Jesus speaks of the coming of a comforter, the Advocate. He will ascend to the Father, having fulfilled his mission, and in his place will come the Holy Spirit, the Comforter and Lord, the Giver of Life. Jesus remains with the believers; however, no longer as a historical figure, but as a preternatural presence. For this reason, he can tell the disciples, “It is better for you that I go” (v 7). His historical presence is bound by space and time, but his presence as the glorified Lord knows no boundary or limitation.
“It is better for you that I go” (v 7). In life, separation entails pain, like that of cutting. But it is necessary for growth and development. At birth, the umbilical cord is cut off for the child to have a life of its own. A young boy or girl leaves home for school. A grown man or woman leaves the parental house to look for work or start a family. Even in death, the soul separates from the body to pass on to eternal life.
Gospel • John 16:5-11
Jesus said to his disciples: “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.”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2026,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.