Teach You Everything

Teach You Everything

April 29, 2013

Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church

“Men, why are you doing this?  We are of the same nature as you, human beings.  We proclaim to you good news that you should turn from these idols to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them.  In past generations he allowed all Gentiles to go their own ways; yet, in bestowing his goodness, he did not leave himself without witness, for he gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filled you with nourishment and gladness for your hearts.”  Acts 14:15-17

“Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.  Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me.  “I have told you this while I am with you.  The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name– he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”  John 14:23-26

Piety

Turn back, O man
Forswear thy foolish ways
Old now is earth
And none may count her days
Yet thou, her child
Whose head is crowned with flames
Still will not hear
Thine inner God proclaims

Earth might be fair
And all men glad and wise
Age after age their tragic empires rise
Built while they dream
And in that dreaming weep
Would man but wake
From out his haunted sleep

(Lyrics from "Turn Back, O Man," from Godspell by Stephen Schwartz)

Study

God does not give up on us.  After millennia of prophets trying to change the ways of humanity, Jesus came on the scene.  Although his ministry was short-lived (in the scheme of salvation history), his Words and Works endure.  Yet, we persist.  Like his disciples, we need constant reminders of the message.

Today, Jesus promises to send an Advocate to continue to work on His behalf for us.  God did not leave himself without witness -- in nature and in the people around us.   In some ways, the Holy Spirit might get the least attention of the Trinity but might be more important to our personal salvation history.  Is it not through the Holy Spirit that we actually hear the words of Jesus today?  Without Jesus, the message revealed by the Holy Spirit would have no context.  However, with Jesus, the Holy Spirit inspires us to foreswear our own ways and idols and turn to the Father to make our lives a place where his Spirit lives.

Action

"Lives."  An interesting word.  It not only depicts the sense of a dwelling place but also of action -- what we do within and beyond the place where we reside. 

Where we live is where we come alive.  Each day, we wake up and go about our business…making coffee, loving, dressing, working, commuting, meeting, praying, eating, volunteering.  We need a place to call home but also a reason to come alive each day. 

Where God lives is where the Lord comes alive each day.  When the Lord dwells in us, we are his means to work in the world. 

What is the reason you are coming alive today?  How is the Holy Spirit reminding you of what Jesus taught?  For what and whom will you Advocate the word of God?