About two months ago Black Dog, a stray dog that appeared to have come from an abusive home, adopted me. I think Black Dog is at least part black lab – a real sweetheart who actually smiles. I fed Black Dog and gave him water every day, and he would go along with my dog, Bandit, and me whenever we went out to walk. A few weeks ago Black Dog started getting protective of our house and very protective of me around other people. He scared a few of my neighbors by growling at them and acting as if he might go after them. A week and a half ago he did actually nip one of my neighbors. I knew then that I couldn’t keep Black Dog anymore. We don’t have a fenced yard or pen, and one big dog in the house is more than enough for my husband. So, I had to take Black Dog to the animal shelter. I cried all the way to the shelter, I cried while I was there, and I cried all the way back home. I love Black Dog and it broke my heart to have to leave him there – especially when the man at the shelter was leading him to the back and Black Dog looked at me as if to say, "Wait a minute! What’s happening here? Why aren’t YOU going with ME? Pleeease don’t leave me! I promise I’ll be good!" I left Black Dog orphaned – without a home – without a person to love him.

In today’s gospel lesson Jesus is talking to the disciples. He has just finished washing the feet of the disciples. Jesus is telling the disciples that he is going away. He is trying to prepare them for the time after he is gone. Jesus tells the disciples, "I will not leave your orphaned."

Jesus is not going to leave the disciples alone – without a master – without a helper. To those who love him Jesus will ask the Father and the Father will send an Advocate. The term translated in our reading today as ‘Advocate’ is the Greek term, Παράκλήτος, Paraclete. The Greek term originated in the law court; a ‘paraclete’ helped a person in court, perhaps pleading one’s case. Broader meanings of the term include advocate, helper, comforter, encourager, and counselor.

Jesus is aware of the distress the disciples are feeling with this talk of him going away. He doesn’t want the disciples to feel abandoned after his death. Jesus is telling them to take heart. He will be gone, but he promises to send the ‘Advocate’ to fill the void left by his death. The Holy Spirit will be given to lead and guide the disciples in Jesus’ absence.

When I left Black Dog at the animal shelter that day, I, too, was orphaned – orphaned by the loss of a dog I loved. But I was not left alone. The Holy Spirit came to comfort me through my dog, Bandit. He seemed to sense that something was wrong when I came back from the animal shelter. He snuggled up beside me on the bed and just lay there close to me – supporting me and comforting me in my loss.

In one way or another we have all been orphaned. Most of us have experienced some kind of hurt or loss in our families. Our community of faith, our church family, can be a surrogate family – a place for healing. There are those who have adopted a child and those who are adopted children. Through adoption a new community is created – a place for healing brokenness. Some of us have been orphaned through divorce, through the loss of a job, through the death of a loved one, the loss or death of a pet, and countless other ways. We are not alone in any of these things. In each of these instances, we have an Advocate who is with us. In each of these instances the church, through the Holy Spirit, provides a place for healing - a place where trust can begin again - a place where people can experience love and learn to love.

Loving one another as brothers and sisters in Christ is a calling. Jesus told the disciples, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." And what did Jesus command us to do? To love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves. If we follow this command, we can’t turn our backs on the 25% of the children in our country who live below the poverty level. We can’t be blind to the abuse that takes place in homes every day. We can’t ignore the fact that people are killing one another. We can’t overlook the people who are going hungry every day in our country and around the world. We can’t be blind to the people who have no roof over their heads.

The church today has been given the gift of the Spirit – the same promise given to the disciples – the abiding presence of God. The gift of the Spirit was given to the community – not just to a few individuals. We, the church – as a community and as individuals - need the help of the Holy Spirit as we minister to one another in a violent, needy, and sometimes even hostile world. Through the Holy Spirit the church receives energy and vitality. The Holy Spirit leads and directs the church.

The church of today goes out into the world guided by the power of the Holy Spirit and with the command to love as Jesus loved. This is a love rooted in the grace and faithfulness of God. What do we have to fear? With the power of the Holy Spirit and our love for one another we can build a community that embraces all people. With the power of the Holy Spirit and our love for one another we can build a community that builds people up rather than tearing them down. With the power of the Holy Spirit and our love for one another we can build a community that makes sure no one goes without the basic necessities of life. With the power of the Holy Spirit and our love for one another we can build a community that brings an end to war. With the power of the Holy Spirit and our love for one another we can build a community that offers grace and hope to a hurting world.

The Holy Spirit is also at work beyond the church. The Holy Spirit is at work throughout the world working in all of creation – in all people in every nation and every community. The Holy Spirit works in ways we can’t comprehend. Jesus did not leave us orphaned. Let us receive the Holy Spirit.

Jane Brubaker - Aspirant