I Will Not Leave You Orphans

Dear Diary,

Today was one of the prettiest spring days we have had yet at Camp Littlemore Farm. The sky was bright blue over the fields, and now the rows of corn can finally be seen coming up out of the rich black Iowa dirt. From far away the little green rows almost looked stitched across the fields like careful lines on a quilt.

Robert picked the three of us up as usual and right on time for morning Mass at St. Mary’s. Mini came too, of course, and she sat close beside me in the truck with her little ears flapping softly in the breeze from the open window. Sister Mary Claire brought along a small basket with fresh muffins wrapped in a towel for Robert and Father LeRoy.

During his homily, Father LeRoy explained today’s Gospel reading. He said Jesus knew His disciples would someday feel frightened and lonely when they could no longer see Him walking beside them. But Jesus promised He would never truly leave them alone. Father said when Our Lord spoke about sending the Advocate, He meant the Holy Spirit, who stays close to us even when we cannot see Him.

Father LeRoy said the world often wants proof it can touch and hold, but God quietly works inside the soul instead. He told us that whenever we choose kindness, obey God, pray honestly, or turn away from sin, the Holy Spirit is already helping us. “You are never abandoned by God,” he said softly from the pulpit. “Not even for one moment.”

On the drive home, the discussion continued while Robert drove slowly past the bright green fields. Sister Mary Claire said she liked the part where Jesus said, “I will not leave you orphans.” She said those words should make every lonely person feel comforted. Robert nodded and said there are times in life when people feel forgotten, but God never truly leaves His children behind.

Mini rested her chin on my arm almost the whole way home while the warm spring air drifted through the open cab window.

This afternoon I walked out near the fields awhile and listened to the meadowlarks singing from the fence posts. The corn rows looked stronger already in the sunshine. It felt peaceful standing there in Mary’s beautiful month of May with the breeze moving through the grass.

Tonight the farmhouse is quiet except for the frogs down near the Creek and the ticking kitchen clock.

Evening Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank You for promising never to leave us alone. Please send Your Holy Spirit to guide our hearts and help us stay close to You. Bless Father LeRoy, Sister Mary Claire, Robert, and little Mini tonight. And thank You for the green fields, the spring sunshine, and our dear Blessed Mother during this lovely month of May. Amen.

_____________

Today’s Gospel

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 14:15-21

Jesus said to his disciples:
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
And I will ask the Father,
and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always,
the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept,
because it neither sees nor knows him.
But you know him, because he remains with you, and will be in you.
I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
In a little while the world will no longer see me,
but you will see me, because I live and you will live.
On that day you will realize that I am in my Father
and you are in me and I in you.
Whoever has my commandments and observes them
is the one who loves me.
And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father,
and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”

The Gospel of the Lord.