REFLECTIONS TODAY
In the difficult task of following him, Jesus announces to the disciples the coming of the Advocate. As this truth-bearing Spirit will testify to Jesus, so must the disciples. The Paraclete is to be sent by the Father at the request of Jesus, so that he comes from both Jesus and the Father in mission.
At the end of the first century, there were some Christians who were so fascinated by the action of the Spirit that they took its greatness in isolation. The Gospel of John takes a stand and does not permit the action of the Spirit to be separated from Jesus. The Holy Spirit is inseparably united with the Father and with Jesus. He, the Spirit of Jesus that the Father sends to us, is the same Spirit that Jesus has gained with his death and resurrection. Here, on the eve of his passion, Jesus promises the Spirit whom he will hand over to the disciples on the cross.
The world can distort one’s perception of who God is. Therefore, it is necessary to look to Jesus to see God’s true image.
Gospel • Jn 15:26—16:4a
Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.
“I have told you this so that you may not fall away. They will expel you from the synagogues; in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God. They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me. I have told you this so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you.”
SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.