Promise of the Holy Spirit
1. The Farewell Gifts of Jesus
2. The Spirit Will Teach You
Introduction
1. The Farewell Gifts of Jesus
Every now and then you hear about an old person, aware that death is not far away, giving advice to his or her daughters and sons: When I will be gone, do this and that for your own good and happiness. Jesus’ parting words are also meant for us; they are a sort of testament. Jesus is saying that if we must find that elusive true peace which he alone can give, we have to love him and the Father, and also one another. We have to keep listening to the Holy Spirit reminding us of Jesus and his teachings.
2. The Spirit Will Teach You
at various moments, there are new problems we have to face in our personal life and in the life of the Church. How do we solve them? Jesus reminds us today that the Father will send the Holy Spirit to remind us of Jesus’ teachings and to make us understand them. The Spirit will help us and the Church to see what is to be done in the light of our faith. We ask Jesus to give us this Spirit.
First Reading: The Liberating Spirit Opens the Church to All
The Church does not belong to any partisan group. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the apostles decide collegially that the Church must be open to all.
1 Reading: Acts 15:1-2, 22-29
Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers,
“Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved.” Because there arose no little dissension and debate by Paul and Barnabas with them, it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question. The apostles and elders, in agreement with the whole church, decided to choose representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers. This is the letter delivered by them: “The apostles and the elders, your brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia of Gentile origin: greetings. Since we have heard that some of our number who went out without any mandate from us have upset you with their teachings and disturbed your peace of mind, we have with one accord decided to choose representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. So we are sending Judas and Silas who will also convey this same message by word of mouth: ‘It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell.'”
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 67:2-3,5,6,8
R. (4) O God, let all the nations praise you! or: R. Alleluia.
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation. R.
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide. R.
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him! R.
Second Reading: The Church, Temple of God’s Presence
The apostle John describes the Church as a city wherein God dwells. It is founded on the apostles and is open to all.
2 Reading: Rev 21:10-14, 22-23
The angel took me in spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. It gleamed with the splendor of God. Its radiance was like that of a precious stone, like jasper, clear as crystal. It had a massive, high wall, with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed and on which names were inscribed, the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites. There were three gates facing east, three north, three south, and three west. The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation, on which were inscribed the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. I saw no temple in the city for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb. The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb.
Alleluia John 14:23
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord,
and my Father will love him and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: The Holy Spirit Will Teach Us
We express our love for Jesus by living according to his gospel. He stays with us through his Holy Spirit, who gives us an understanding of what the gospel asks of us—and the strength to live accordingly.
Gospel: John 14:23-29
Jesus said to his disciples: “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, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe.”
Commentary
An early Christian writer said that the Word became flesh “so that God should become accustomed to living in us, and that we should become accustomed to living in God.” For the next several days the readings make reference to the Holy Spirit, the promised Helper or Comforter. This is because in two weeks’ time there will be the great feast of Pentecost. The Spirit will come not just for a visit but to remain with us: to become ‘ordinary’.
What kind of comfort can we expect from the Comforter? Look more closely at the word “comfort”. Modern usage has weakened its meaning to merely ‘softness’ and ‘gentle touches’, ‘leisure’; in fact it has come to mean just about the opposite of its real meaning. The word comes from the Latin “confortare”, which means ‘to strengthen’, ‘to support’; “fortis” means ‘strong’. Comfort therefore means strength (strong support)! The Holy Spirit will make us robust. Strong in faith, hope and love.
It is important to take note of the duties Jesus earmarked for the Holy Spirit. As the Advocate, he will ‘teach’ and ‘remind’. He does not set fire of destruction or death on anyone. Stop giving him functions that are not within His briefs. He ain’t gonna do them!
And what kind of peace can we expect? “I give you my peace. Not as the world gives peace do I give it to you.” Not the ego’s peace, which is like the peace after a good meal, or after some private victory. He promises his peace.
The readings these times are like Spring cleaning. Let’s open our inner rooms.
Blessing
Jesus told us today:
“Those who love me will keep my word,”
that is, they will put my words into practice,
and will try their best to live as I lived.
May the Holy Spirit guide us
to help us live according to the Lord’s gospel
and may almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.
Go in the peace of Christ
and live in his presence.
R/ Thanks be to God.