“I will not leave you orphaned.”

Those are the words Jesus speaks to his disciples shortly before his arrest. For those used to the old translation of the Authorized Version, “I will leave you comfortless,” this is a strange turn of phrase. It is, however, exactly what the Greek says. Orphaned. This traditional reading for the Sunday after the Ascension aptly describes the condition of the disciples. They have been on an emotional roller coaster. First the amazing experience of traveling and learning from Jesus, then the horror of his crucifixion, next the joy of the resurrection, And now bewilderment. He was gone again, ascended to heaven, leaving nothing but this promise: “I will not leave you orphaned.”

When we were young, we were afraid of being abandoned by our parents. How much worse is the fear of being abandoned by God?  Remember Jesus’ cry from the cross, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus died as the God forsaken so that we would never be forsaken. His promise not to leave us as orphans has been kept. The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, is always with us. There is nothing to fear. We can see the continued presence of the Spirit in the life of the church. From the moment of our Baptism our relationship with God is formed in the community of the faithful. We are never alone, never abandoned. “I will not leave you orphaned.” Christ’s words are true. Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed.

Read 1 John 3:1-3, and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne