Acts 16:22-34 / John 16:5-11
It is often said that when God closes the door, He opens a window.
But when we think about it, it seems that there is something strange.
Why would some people say that about God? Why would God close a door and just open the window?
That would make God seem like He wants to take away things from us instead of giving things to us.
But we believe in God who is generous and wants to give us more than we can even think of, and more than we can ever dare to ask for.
In the gospel, Jesus says that unless He goes, the Advocate will not come to us.
Jesus says that His going back to the Father is for our good.
When we think about it, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to us so that we are united with Him always.
The Holy Spirit is our Advocate who will help us to feel the presence of Jesus in us.
Indeed, the going away of Jesus becomes a coming in of the Holy Spirit.
So, we can see now that if God closes the door, He will open up all the doors and the windows too.
God does not take away. Rather He gives and He gives, and the Holy Spirit is the greatest and the best gift we will receive.