6th Sunday of Easter
Acts 15:1-2, 22-29; Psalm 66; Rv. 21: 10-14, 22-23; Jn. 14: 23-29
Read: Jesus said to his disciples: “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and the Father will love him, and we shall come to him and make our home with him. Those who do not love me do not keep my words. And my word is not my own; it is the word of who sent me. I have said these things to you while still with you; but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you.
Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me say: I am going away, and shall return. If you loved me, you would have been glad to know that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you this now before it happens; so that when it does happen, you may believe.”
Reflect: Jesus said all he had to say; he did not omit anything. However, it is essential that the Spirit continues to teach. Jesus was unable to explain all the consequences and how should be applied in practice his message: “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” Jesus reassures the disciples that they will always find an answer to all the questions with which they will be confronted and the circumstances that will arise in life. They will be able to give answers in accordance with his teaching if they learn how to listen to his word and to maintain their soul in harmony with the Spirit present in them. The disciples need a lot of courage to go along with His instructions, because many times He asks for a change in direction in which they are heading. But the Spirit does not teach anything but Jesus’ Gospel. The Spirit teaches in a dynamic way, becomes an internal impulse, leads in the correct direction, stimulates goodness, leads to decisions that are consistent with the Gospels.
The second role of the Holy Spirit is to remind us. There are many words that were said by Jesus that, notwithstanding the fact that they do appear in the Gospels, there is a risk that these are forgotten or are not mentioned. This happens especially in the case of those evangelical proposals that are not easily comprehended because these appear to run counter to the world’s common sense. For example, how is it possible that Christ’s disciples can forget the Lord’s words that prohibit all forms of violence towards their brethren? But this is something that often happens. Here comes in the Holy Spirit to remind the disciples of Jesus’ words: “Love your enemies; do good to whoever hates you; bless whoever curses you; pray for those who treat you badly.” (Lq.6:27-29)
Act: Lord, hasten to send us the Spirit Defender to remind us of the attitudes which you yourself tried to teach us.
Pray: In your walk towards blessedness, embrace with you the Holy Spirit by praying more. Live the fruit of such prayer: love; happiness; tolerance; gentleness; goodness.