Reflection by Deacon Kathryn Snelling
Easter 6 - May 10, 2026
The Rev Kathryn Snelling, Deacon
Happy Mother’s Day, again.
Now I ask you, was your mother like most mothers who often told you what to do?
She may not have called them commandments, but rules or sometimes just, “Do what I say, young lady”
Often it was something like; say thank you or clean up your room, or do homework before going out to play, or eat your vegetables!
Did you eat your vegetables?
I didn’t. I do now. I love vegetables. But as a kiddo, not so much.
In fact I found a clever way to hide some of my vegetables.
Growing up in a large family we had a long dining table with all the leaves extended.
Which provided some very nice little ledges - very handy for slipping in a few veggies.
And I got away with it. Until we were taking the table apart to move it and all these wizened up green beans came tumbling out onto the floor. Right where I had always sat. And right next to them were wizened up peas, where my baby brother sat.
Well, we were all grown by then and our mom just rolled her eyes.
But we do understand why our moms tell us to do these things. They want us to learn good manners. They want us to form good habits that will help us as we continue in school and through life. They want us to eat foods that nourish us so we grow strong and healthy. So, they don’t do it just to be bossy? No, it’s because they love us and want what is best for us. And when we are honest we realize that those “rules” did help and probably at least some stayed with us.
Jesus likened himself to a mother. A mother hen, actually. When he was lamenting about the people straying away from God. He said he wanted to be like a mother hen, gathering her chicks under her wings, but they would not come. He wanted to comfort and guide them.
In the Gospel reading today Jesus continues to prepare his disciples for a life without him being physically present. He wanted to comfort them and guide them.
And he says to them, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
And although I will leave this world, you will see me because I will come to you.
I will ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.
He tells them that they know this Advocate already because he abides with them - as the person of Jesus.
But now, he, this Advocate, will abide in them.
Now this is an amazing thing to say. And I wouldn’t be surprised if their eyes were starting to glass over.
But he continues to say : On that day….. and I think we know what day that day is… it is fast approaching. The day the Advocate arrives.
On that day you will know… that I am in my Father and you in me and I in you and the Advocate is in there and we start talking that triune language that makes the head spin when we try to put into words.
But then he brings it all back down to earth…
And says, “They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me and will be loved…”
Jesus is now speaking in the plural…beyond time and space – speaking to all disciples of every age and community.
So this wasn’t an exclusive club Jesus was addressing. He was addressing all who would come to put their trust in him.
Assuring all that we are not left alone.
And just as the Holy Spirit guided and comforted the early disciples as they moved forward after the resurrection and ascension… through all sorts of challenges and struggles, some to martyrdom as they carried out their missions;
So, too does the Holy Spirit abide in each of us today who have his commandments and keep them. All who follow Jesus in his way of love.
Through all the challenges and struggles, ups and downs, joys and sorrows, the easy-pezie and the-bang-our-head against-a-rock kind of days.
Jesus is with us.
We have the
Advocate
Comforter
Intercessor
Guide
Friend
Good Shepherd
Mother Hen
Holy and undivided Trinity
Come Holy Spirit