“As he blessed them he parted from them . . .”

Breakups are hard.  Even the ones that come about because of mistrust or betrayal or disagreements or resentment or hostility or any other negative thing.  Even those types of breakups can be really difficult --- those painful times when we reflect on what once was --- the love and affection and kindness that attracted us to another person in the first place.  What went wrong?  Why couldn’t things have stayed the same?  Why couldn’t it just be “happily ever after”?  Yes, the wounds that come about from breakups can be some of the most painful things we experience in life.

But all breakups aren’t like that.  Some don’t arise because of a pattern of hurtful things or bad behavior.  Some come about for a much different reason altogether.  And what is that reason?  It’s those times when one or both of the parties involved realize that a breakup --- a parting --- is actually the best thing, the kind thing, the loving thing.  And those are the breakups that don’t really feel like true breakups.  In fact, sometimes they feel more like a kind of transition, a change, the start of a journey down a somewhat different path.  And while those types of breakups can (and do) still feel painful, they rarely cause long-term harm.  In reality, they can often be the necessary thing, the life-giving thing.  Sometimes it just takes a while to realize it.

“As he blessed them he parted from them . . .”

I wonder what Jesus’ disciples felt in those few moments in which everything changed.  And while their relationships with him were not of a romantic nature, they weren’t run-of-the-mill friendships either.  They had developed into something much more over the past few years.  They came to admire him.  They came to trust him and respect him.  They came to pay attention to his every word.  They came to rely on him for help and turn to him for advice and believe in what he said --- even when it was confusing or hard to grasp.  And, most importantly, they came to love him --- not just for what he did or said, but for who he was --- both as the most special person they had ever known, and something more than that --- someone very Holy and Heaven sent.

And then he was gone.

And they didn’t get a say in the matter.  They didn’t get a vote.  They didn’t have a chance to “change his mind”.  They didn’t have an opportunity to plead with him or to lay out a convincing argument as to why they needed him to stick around.  No, this decision was not theirs to make --- for if it were up to them, they would have decided differently.

Many of us probably feel (in a certain way) like the disciples that day.  Even though not one of us had a chance to get to know the Divine Person Jesus while he walked this earth.  No, we didn’t have that privilege.  But we probably wish he was still here with us.  Wish we could turn to him for advice for every problem we are facing.  Turn to him to heal us when we are sick, or better yet, when we or one of our loved ones is dying.  Turn to him when we are frightened.  Turn to him when a storm is approaching.  Turn to him for a good story or some wise words or the answer to a moral dilemma.  Yes, it sure would be easier if he were still here.

Well, isn’t he?

You see, the Lord Jesus may have parted from his disciples that day, but it certainly wasn’t any sort of breakup, wasn’t any sort of ending of a relationship.  In reality, it was much the opposite --- a step taken by Jesus to ensure that their (and our) relationship with him became what he hoped it would become --- something more than spiritual “children” following him around like puppies fawning all over their master.  No, Jesus seems to have wanted his relationship with his disciples to mature into something new, something more meaningful, maybe even something more powerful.  From this moment on, the work of our Lord would no longer just be his.  He was now sharing his mission with us.  His work would be our work.  His attitudes our attitudes. 

His priorities our priorities.  His words our motivation.  His death and resurrection the meaning (and power) behind it all.

And it’s likely that none of that would have (or could have) happened had he remained walking on this earth --- drawing all the disciples attention away from the place he wanted it to be --- on the needs of every single person who could use a little kindness, a little mercy, a little love.  Jesus was leaving this earth in appearance only.  He would live on (through the Spirit) in the hearts and minds and hands of every person open to God’s grace.

And so, this “parting” was the very best type --- brought about because one of the parties knew what was best, knew what needed to be done, knew that the pain of the moment would eventually dissipate --- and something more beautiful would grow in its place.

Deep Faith & Courageous Action!

And so, let’s not lament what might have been.  Let’s rejoice in what is --- not the absence of our God, but the intense presence of our God --- our Lord and Savior who is closer to us than he’s ever been.  May we not look for him just in the heavens --- but in His living Word, in the Holy Eucharist, in ourselves and in one another.  And may our relationship with Jesus who reigns from Heaven, become everything he dreams it can be.