A quip on a church marquee has stuck with me for years: If you feel distant from God, guess who moved? In last Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus told his disciples that he would be with them “only a little while longer.” Of course, we know the full story: Jesus did not abandon his followers. Today we hear of his parting gift to them and to us. Although Jesus would soon return to the Father, he was sending someone to minister to the disciples and to encourage them in their mission: “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”

Today’s Gospel occurs shortly before Jesus gives his Last Supper Discourses in the Gospel of John. Judas has betrayed Jesus, and now the Lord speaks to his inner circle for one of the last times before his arrest. “I will be with you only a little while longer,” he says. At these words, I imagine a hush falling over the group. Rattled by Judas’ strange actions and alarmed by the Lord announcing his impending departure, the disciples' eyes must have darted about as they held their breath, awaiting Jesus’ words. “I give you a new commandment,” he says. “Love one another.

“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” The spiritual riches contained in this line alone are enough to sustain us for a lifetime. First, we rejoice that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, calls us his own. We belong to him who, like the shepherds of bygone days, protects his sheep – capable of little in the way of self-defense – even at the cost of his own life. Also, among the distinctive marks of Jesus’ sheep are that they hear his voice and follow him.

Underlying Peter’s simple statement in today’s Gospel, “I am going fishing,” is an ocean of sadness. This leader of the Apostles was once so eager and self-assured that he declared to Jesus, “Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.” (Mt 26:35) But we know the story: At the decisive moment, Peter yielded under pressure and three times denied that he even knew Jesus.