I shall ask the Father
It is late Sunday evening as I sit and write this reflection. I am seated at a makeshift desk on a little back terrace of a small detached bedroom that extends into a garden. The garden is dark with large flowering shrubs that have lost their brilliance in the night sky. I can hear the tropical night time chirping of the cicadas.
Sandee and I flew to this small neighboring island to spend a couple of days visiting her aging dear friends after a most sacred Pentecost weekend. Earlier as we sat in the gallery overlooking the sea in the distance, I was struck by an unusual ritual at sunset.
Three or four large colorful birds, locally called ‘motmots’ arrive on time and sit on the railing of the bannister of the upstairs gallery awaiting the husband of the married couple to appear with small pieces of salt crackers and cheese. They call out to him with low throaty cackles.
He comes walking, very slowly, and places the small pieces of food on the bannister. They come within inches of his hand and take the food. They reward him with loving bird chirps. I am told this takes place daily at sunset. I think of this week’s Gospel John 14: 15- 26 ‘If you love me you will keep my commandments. I shall ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you for ever.’
It is as if the aging husband has assumed the role of the father to these birds. They come lovingly expecting to be fed and he lovingly feeds them. Jesus is inviting us to place our trust in the Father just as these birds have placed their trust in their adopted father. There is no doubt, they know he will come and feed them.
I think of the ‘faith’ of the birds. Do I have similar faith that the Father will feed me with the Holy Spirit? I experienced a deeply spiritual Pentecost weekend, but does it leave me with that loving dependence. Do I place total trust in the Father? Pentecost is the offer of the Holy Spirit. Am I willing to accept it as a priceless gift? How can I allow this gift from the Father, through the son, animate my life?
Hopefully we can explore these questions this week.