Gospel Reading: 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 that 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.”
REFLECTION He will testify to me
Jesus talks about the Holy Spirit. In Greek, the gender of the word pneuma (spirit) is neuter. But since the Holy Spirit is a person, the personal pronoun commonly used is the masculine “He,” not “It.”
The Holy Spirit is called Advocate, Paraclete, Consoler. He will be sent from the Father once Jesus gets to heaven. He is the Spirit of truth. He possesses the truth about Jesus. With all truthfulness, he will testify to Jesus.
Jesus explains why he is telling this to the disciples. He wants them to remain strong. As they bear witness, they will suffer a lot. They will be thrown out of the synagogues. Life will not be easy. They will be struck and battered. Jesus anticipates acts of terror against them in the name of religion.
But Jesus assures them that the Holy Spirit will accompany them. With his help, they can persevere in their mission. Jesus cannot afford to lose them because they have been with him from the beginning. He has invested time and effort in making them understand his purpose. They have learned more than all others.
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The Holy Spirit is at work with us, empowering us to witness to Jesus.
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SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord,” ST PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
