A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John (16:12-15)
Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
But when he comes, the Spirit of truth,
he will guide you to all truth.
He will not speak on his own,
but he will speak what he hears,
and will declare to you the things that are coming.
He will glorify me,
because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.
Everything that the Father has is mine;
for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine
and declare it to you.”
Reflection: My brothers and sisters in Christ, how does the beginning of today’s Gospel, makes you feel, when Jesus said to His disciples, and He is telling us today; “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.” We already heard about so many things from Him, and today Jesus tells us; there is more? Jesus told us that we are to be merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers. He explained that we should not worry. He reminded us that we are to love God and love our neighbor. And He told us that things would not always be easy or go smoothly for us. What else could Jesus have for us, that we haven’t already heard from Him? What did we miss?
Jesus didn’t just leave us in suspense, with His mysterious statement, that He has much more to tell us, but we cannot bear it now. No, He didn’t. He immediately said how we will hear of them; “But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.” Jesus is referring here, to the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit, who will guide us, speak to us, and declare all to us, all that we need to know. We were given a preview of this Spirit, last Sunday, in the Gospel of John. Jesus promises His disciples that He will not leave them orphaned. He promises “another Advocate,” the Spirit of Truth, who will abide/live with us FOREVER. Throughout John’s gospel, we are given glimpses of the Holy Spirit. And in John’s gospel, that Spirit is associated primarily, with Jesus. The Holy Spirit acts as a “divine educator,” teaching and helping believers, understand the depths of Jesus’s revelation, over time, not all at once.
Furthermore, Jesus tells us that the Spirit will not speak on his own, but shares the same truth as the Father and Son, highlighting the shared life and love within the Trinity, giving us the teachings of Jesus to life, in new contexts, guiding us at the right time, and helping all Christians apply our faith, to modern time’s challenges. Helping believers “know the Lord” not only intellectually, but through the heart, deepening our friendship with God.
Today’s Gospel passage is not to hold us in suspense, or thinking that we are not trusted, with all of His teachings. Rather, He, Jesus, is inviting us into a deeper, and more intimate relationship with God, where they, through the Spirit, participate in the love shared between the Father and the Son. And that relationship with us, is a continuing reality.
Action for the day: Jesus promises the Holy Spirit, to guide us into truth, and to glorify Him. But one has to actively depend on that belief, and trust. Therefore, before making decisions, clearly ask the “Spirit of Truth”, to guide you into all truth, rather than relying solely on human logic. Create quiet moments in your daily routine, to listen for the “nudges” or “motivations”, of the Holy Spirit, recognizing Him, as an active counselor. Lastly, surrender your personal agenda, and actively yield your plans, desires, and understanding, to God’s will, trusting that the Spirit knows the best path forward, for you.
Audio Reflection:
Comment for May 13 reflection: That is the best explanation of the how the Holy Spirit words for us today that I have ever read.