Gospel: Jn 16:5-11
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JESUS said to His disciples: “Now I am going to the one who sent Me, and not one of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts. But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: Sin, because they do not believe in Me; righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me; condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.”
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The role of the Holy Spirit is to expose and convict the “world” of its errors.
First, the fundamental sin is the rejection of Christ, i.e., the refusal to believe in His person as the Messiah, because the people who do not believe can never see themselves as sinners. Second, righteousness is not earned as merits of one’s obedience to the Law, but the justification, acquittal, and forgiveness of sin are free gifts by virtue of the redemption wrought in Jesus Christ for all who believe (cf Rom 3:22, 24-25). Lastly, the rule of the Evil One has been condemned and subdued by the power of the resurrection of Jesus, since “sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 5:21).
God has completed our salvation when the body is resurrected and animated totally by the Holy Spirit. Through the resurrection of Christ, all believers already now participate in the workings of life in the Spirit, while awaiting its final fulfillment in the future, in heaven.
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SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2020,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph
