The Sixth Sunday of Easter | John 16:23-33 | The Church as a Mother

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The Sixth Sunday of Easter | John 16:23-33 | The Church as a Mother

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The Sixth Sunday of Easter May 10, 2026 John 16:23-33 Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! As another Mother’s Day approaches, I find myself remembering my mom, who Jesus brought into His eternal presence over two years ago. It’s always interesting to me that some of the thoughts that come to mind are the things she said. She’d say, “Oh, that’s different.” Code word for, she didn’t like that. Or “It’s a catch-22, if you know what I mean.” Regrettably, she saw many situations as paradoxically no-win situations. However, you might only understand what my mother meant by these sayings if you spent enough time around her and asked clarifying questions, like, “What do you mean, Mom, by it’s a catch-22?” In a way, my mom used figurative sayings and proverbs that only she understood. I have wondered if this is a facet of being a mother: to speak in figures of speech, proverbs, to make a child think, to instill in them a need to ask questions. But then again, how often does a child roll their eyes, stare silently, fail to ask questions, and go on like they know all the answers? Of course, there are many figures of speech a mother might use when speaking to a child. “Don’t be such a scrooge,” implying the child is being miserable or ungenerous. “He’s as cunning as a fox.” Maybe a warning to a child to be careful of the company they keep. “You bite off more than you can chew.” The idea that the child has no idea how big, difficult, or complex the project they have decided to take on is. Or “Put your nose to the grindstone.” Do the hard work, stay dedicated, and give 100 percent commitment. Then of course, there are the figures of speech about mothers, too… “Like mother, like child.” “A face only a mother could love.” “Mother knows best.” These may not need explanation… But throughout history, humans have used figures of speech and proverbs to express deeper truths. The entire book of Proverbs encourages the reader to think deeply, and if you review sections like Proverbs 31, you’ll notice there are specific proverbs written by a mother or about motherhood. However, it seems that nobody enjoys thinking deeply anymore. Everyone just wants to “Google” it, “Hey Siri,” or ask “Alexa” for the answers to life. And in a way, the Gospel this morning is about asking questions, asking for help, seeking clarity, and learning how to pray. Jesus says, “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” The instruction to “Ask” is in the imperative, meaning Jesus is giving the disciples an order. Like a mother telling a child to clean their room, and this same order from Jesus is for you—ask, pray, speak to Jesus, so “your joy may be full.” Yet at the same time, one theologian suggests that Jesus is also scolding the disciples for their laziness in praying to Him, listening to His instruction, and these words are also for you: stop being lazy in your prayers. Again, Jesus says, “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” You are told to pray in Jesus’ name first because He instructs you that this is how you are to have access to His Father. But also, as St. Peter said in the book of Acts, “There is no other name given to men in which we shall be saved.” (Acts 4:12) When a child fears the storm in the night, when a daughter experiences a breakup with a boyfriend, when a son goes off to war, who do they speak to in times of distress, who do they call out to? Most often, their mother. Even more so, a child of God must learn to pray and seek the care of their heavenly Father through His Son, Jesus Christ. And this is learned from Scripture as one hears from the Gospel of St. Luke, “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9) Or as St. James wrote, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.” (James 1:6-7) Or finally, as God instructs in the Psalms, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” (Psalm 50:15) But the struggle to ask, seek, and pray remains. Maybe you forget, in all the commotion and excitement of life, to pray; maybe you don’t believe Jesus wants to hear from you, or maybe you fall back on what many have said before: “I don’t need to pray, God knows what I need.” This is a bit of a copout. However, Jesus provides the disciples with a warning today regarding their faith in Him as He said, “Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I ...

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