I’m with You

Reflection for May 17, 2026 – The Ascension of the Lord

In today’s readings the disciples encounter the risen Christ on a mountain. He encourages them to make disciples of all nations and assures them that He will never abandon them.  Find Today’s Reading Here

One of the fun things toddlers and very young children do is try to convince you that they aren’t lying — you’re just misunderstanding reality.

“I am NOT hitting you,” they’ll insist as they pummel your leg with their little fists, staring you down with the crazy-eyed glare of a person who really believes they can make something true if they say it loud enough.

It reminds me a little of Jesus, to be honest. “I am with you always!” he assures us…as he’s literally leaving.

We know that Jesus is not a crazy-eyed toddler. He’s telling the truth. So what in the world does he mean?

“I am with you.” We say this to one another when we want them to know they have our support, often in a battle they must fight alone.

“I am with you.” My mother-in-law said this to me over FaceTime during the pandemic shutdown as I was mourning a miscarriage. We were dozens of miles apart and quarantined.

“I am with you.” I say this to my children when they are upset, frightened, melting down, sick — when they are caught in the throes of a bad experience I cannot personally climb into and stop.

I am with you. None of these promises are false. None of them are lies.

And neither, really, is the toddler lying. She’s simply experiencing reality as a person who can’t differentiate feelings from actions, will from choice. “I’m not hitting you!” she cries, when what she means to say is: “This anger is stronger than I am.”

How many times have I pounded my own fists, crying, “I have faith!” when what I mean to say is, “My faith is failing. Where are you?”

I am with you.

This is the answer that always comes. The answer that will always come. Reality is like that. It exists, unchanging, whether we believe it or not.

©LPi