When Jesus left his disciples, He promised them a new kind of relationship with him. It will not be like a memory of somebody whom people admired and loved but will gradually fade away that will eventually be replaced by person whom they see in flesh and blood. The gospel gives them the assurance that He will remain a real presence in their daily lives which will influence all that they do.
After Jesus leaves his disciples, He will have a new presence through his Advocate, the Holy Spirit. He is always with us and is very accessible. When we approach Him with love in our hearts, He tells us beautiful things. The Advocate awakens us to the truth, calls our attention to situations where it is lacking and clarifies the will of the Father. The Advocate is given to us in baptism, but he is more forcefully present whenever a community of disciples gathers around Jesus in a parish meeting or the Eucharist in which the word of God is central. He helps us recognize our responsibility to our family and community. He unites people not primarily to listen to Jesus’ word but to practice it. The Advocate is called in when our spirit is sagging to help us cope with unexpected challenges and to make us courageous in times of trial.
