Sixth Sunday of Easter.  Mother’s Day 2026

John 14:15-21

Rev. Neli Miranda

 

“Mothering God, you gave me birth in the bright morning of this world. Creator, source of every breath, you are my rain, my wind, my sun” (Julian of Norwich)

            We come from a Divine and eternal womb, and we live confidently upon that divine maternal bosom. In today’s Gospel, we find strong yet tender words that make us feel as protected as children: “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.”

            Three years ago, although I was already an adult, I experienced the weight of what it means to be an orphan. Within only eleven months, both my mother and my father passed away, leaving me with a profound sense of orphanhood. It was then that Jesus’ promise, “I will not leave you orphans,” touched me deeply. It led me to reflect on the difficult moments the first community of disciples experienced when Jesus announced his impending departure.

            Jesus perceived how his disciples felt: vulnerable, helpless, and lonely, like orphans! Orphanhood brings about an intense grief and hopelessness. Recognizing their distress, Jesus tenderly calmed them, saying, “I will not leave you orphaned.”

            There is a consensus among biblical scholars that Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father, died before Jesus began his public ministry. The evangelist Luke provides the final account of Joseph’s presence when Jesus was twelve years old at the Passover in Jerusalem. Because Joseph is never mentioned again, most scholars infer that he died during Jesus’ young adulthood. Therefore, it was Mary, Jesus’ mother, who strongly supported Jesus in his ministry, accompanied him to the cross, became his first disciple, and participated in the first community in Jerusalem.

            Having experienced God’s presence through his mother’s devotion, Jesus speaks with mothering care: “I will not leave you orphaned.” It is no wonder Julian of Norwich wrote: “Mothering Christ, you took my form, offering me your food of light, grain of new life, and grape of love, your very body for my peace.”

            In the midst of their fear, Jesus encourages his disciples to take heart because a Helper is coming: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.” Jesus uses the word Paraclete—a term filled with complex meaning. Originally, it referred to a spokesperson or an advocate in a court of law; a strong, qualified person called to help in times of trouble. In Jewish tradition, this word was used for angels and prophets who acted as advocates before God. Over time, it also acquired the meaning of “Consoler.” Jesus uses this rich word to ensure his disciples stand firm. They will not be left alone; the Holy Spirit is coming to dwell within them.

            In times of crisis, have you felt that intense vulnerability and loneliness? Have you called upon the Mothering Spirit of God? Jesus calls this the Spirit of Truth: “This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because the spirit of truth abides with you, and this spirit will be in you”. While Jesus had been with them physically as the Truth, he promised to return not as a physical body, but as a Divine Breath to inspire them from within.

            “Mothering Spirit, nurturing one, in arms of patience hold me close, so that in faith I root and grow, until I flower, until I know” (Julian of Norwich).

            After my parents passed away, I eventually began to feel their presence inside me. I was experiencing a new level of relationship. I began to treasure their teachings, dreams, and struggles until I realized their courageous spirits were abiding in me, I became them! This helped me understand the disciples’ experience when Jesus said, “In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me…”. Can you see and feel the Mothering Jesus among us? As we celebrate Mother’s Day, we recognize that for many, this is a day of deep emotion. We honor the mothers who are with us, and we hold space for the courageous spirits of those mothers who now abide within us from the Father’s house. May you find comfort in knowing that through our Mothering God, we are never alone and never orphaned. We celebrate the gift of motherhood that teaches us the true meaning of the Spirit of Truth and Love.

            The community of disciples is promised a total experience of God—living in the Father’s house, guided by our Mothering God, our Mothering Jesus, and our Mothering Holy Spirit. This Divine Trinity takes up residence within us. We dwell in this great community because we love Jesus, have his commandments, and keep them. On this special day, we remember that we are not lonely or defenseless, for we dwell together in this great family of faith. So, let us stay on the Way, follow the Truth, and seek Life—Jesus himself. Amen.

 

Julian of Norwich: https://michaelsprayers.wordpress.com/2015/04/01/mothering-god-you-gave-me-birth/