Christ in our hearts we are guided by the
Advocate By Beth DeCristofaro
Philip went down to the city of Samaria and
proclaimed the Christ to them. With one accord, the crowds paid attention to what was said by Philip when they
heard it and saw the signs he was doing. … There was great joy in that city.
(Acts 8:5-8)
Jesus said to his disciples: “If you love me,
you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you
another Advocate to be with you always (John 14:15-16)
Piety
Help us o God to Sanctify Christ as Lord
in (our) hearts. Always ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks (us)
for a reason for (our) hope, but (help us) do it with gentleness
and reverence keeping (our) conscience
clear, so that, when (we) are maligned, those who defame (our)
good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame. For it is better to
suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God than for doing evil. (from 1 Peter 3:15-16)
Study
Jesus teaches his friends at the Last Supper
in this passage from John’s Gospel which is located in what is often called the
“Book of Glory” (chapters 13-17). Chapters 1-12 are referred to as the “Book of
Signs”. Jesus was preparing his
followers for what he knew is imminent. In John’s view Jesus was an active
participant, directing not victimized on his road to the cross, his death, and
resurrection. Jesus wanted them to understand that while it would be sad - even
horrific – that he must die, it was imperative that he choose this path so that
they would understand his teaching and himself better through the coming of the
Advocate.
In the Spirit, Jesus will be present
intimately with them more so than he was while walking the dusty roads and
cooking their fresh catch over charcoal fires.
Jesus tells them this with such loving, embracing confidence that he
models for them just what Peter later explains: Sanctify Christ as Lord in
your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for
a reason for your hope. The
disciples, indeed the people, had difficulty understanding Jesus’ message
during his ministry. Just after this
passage both Thomas and Philip question because they don’t get it. Later, of course, Judas walks out of the sacred meal to betray Jesus and later still Peter
will deny him. Jesus doesn’t harangue or
lecture them, chastise them, exclude them.
Rather with strong gentleness and reverence for the Word being
proclaimed to his Father’s beloved sons and daughters he teaches with word,
action and demeanor. He prepares them
for the extraordinary gift of wisdom, truth and fire in the Holy Spirit. Although none of us sat at this table with
Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, he reveals himself intimately with each of us as
if we did.
Action
It’s nigh impossible to change someone’s mind
if they doubt, betray or prefer misunderstanding nor to heal someone of rage,
blame or isolation if we are not able to accept them as loveable. Ask for the grace to Sanctify Christ as
Lord in (our) hearts first in loving ourselves as a friend of Christ
and seeing even the most fearful, exasperating, daft or belligerent
“antagonist” as invited to the Lord’s table as are we, as were Judas, Thomas,
Peter and Philip.
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