"The Promise of the Gift of the Spirit" by Colleen O’Sullivan
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.” (John 16:12-15)
Piety
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. (Holy Spirit Prayer)
Study
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| The Last Sermon of our Lord, James Tissot, between 1886-1894, Brooklyn Museum, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons |
The Gospel reading for today continues John’s account of Jesus’ last words to his disciples. Had I been in the disciples’ midst, I think my brain might have become glazed over at this point. People can only take in so much information at a time. On top of that, deep emotions had surfaced. Jesus must have found it difficult to say goodbye to his little band of trusted friends. The disciples were most likely already grieving at the thought of life without their leader and friend. They were also frightened. What would they do without Jesus? What would happen? Would they stay together or would they go back to wherever home was before they answered the Lord’s call?
After the Last Supper, Jesus knows there aren’t many hours left to be together, and he is attempting to pave the way for his friends to carry on his work when he is gone. How he loves them! Our Lord is preparing them in every way possible for his impending death and for their lives as missionaries and ambassadors in his name. There is so much he wants to say. He has washed their feet and reminded them to be servants to one another (John 13). He has assured them that he is going to prepare a place in heaven for them and that he is the Way to that place. He has told them that when he is gone from their midst, his Father will send the Spirit of Truth, who will help them remember all that Jesus has taught them. (John 14) He has recounted the story of the vine and the branches (John 15) as a reminder that if they remain rooted in God, God will always abide in them. He warns them that the world may very well despise them just as it despises Jesus.
As Jesus looks around the room at his disciples, he sees they are tired, confused and apprehensive. Although he’d like to tell them everything, the Lord can see they are simply unable to process anything more at that moment.
So, the Lord tells his friends not to worry; they don’t have to grasp everything that very instant. They will not be left alone. The Spirit of truth will come. And when the Spirit comes, they will have a guide who will glorify Jesus. Just as the Father has imparted to his Son everything that is his, so the Spirit will share with the disciples all that comes from Jesus, the Christ. The Word is the same whether the disciples hear it from the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit. What seems so obscure in that discussion around the table will all be made clear, Jesus promises.
Action
Jesus’ words continue to comfort us centuries later. The Spirit is in our midst, and when we are unsure which path in life will lead us in the way of Jesus’, we are able to turn to the Holy Spirit in prayer. The Spirit will lead us in the way of truth if we open our hearts to the Spirit’s guidance.
When you pray, ask the Spirit to show you what path to take in whatever you are doing for the Lord today.
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