Tracy Earl Welliver - May 21, 2017

My children could never succeed without their mother and me. That isn't me thinking too much of ourselves, it is just a fact. No one can find success in life in total isolation. I could never have become who I am today without my parents, various teachers and mentors, and my wife. Truth be told, I probably owe a lot of who I am to my children as well. I can only imagine the fear and concern of the first disciples when it was apparent that Jesus was not going to be with them much longer. Some probably thought since Jesus had risen from the dead, he might just live with them in the same way forever. But Jesus tried to calm their fears by assuring them, "I will not leave you orphans." He said he would continue to come to them and that he would send the Spirit to be with them at all times. They would not have to continue what he had started and preach the good news to the ends of the earth on their own.

We may sometimes feel that we are alone. We may at times try to do too much or show others that we are independent and strong. However, without the help of others, without the help of God, true success will always elude us. Our actions and words can become empty. The gifts we have received can either be cultivated in secret and in the shadows, or we can welcome the help that God provides in his Spirit, his community, and the sacraments he gave us. By working together the world will truly know the power of the risen Lord.

Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS © Liturgical Publications Inc