Gospel John 16:5-11 Unless I go, the Advocate will not come to you Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Now I am going to the one who sent me. Not one of you has asked, “Where are you going?” Yet you are sad at heart because I have told you this. Still, I must tell you the truth: it is for your own good that I am going because unless I go, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I do go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will show the world how wrong it was, about sin, and about who was in the right, and about judgement: about sin: proved by their refusal to believe in me; about who was in the right: proved by my going to the Father and your seeing me no more; about judgement: proved by the prince of this world being already condemned.’ Short Reflection Jesus reveals that his departure is not a loss, but a gift. Through his going, the Advocate—the Spirit of truth—comes to guide, correct, and strengthen us. Even in moments of confusion or sorrow, God is at work in way...
Gospel John 15:26-16:4 The Spirit of truth will be my witness Jesus said to his disciples: ‘When the Advocate comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who issues from the Father, he will be my witness. And you too will be witnesses, because you have been with me from the outset. ‘I have told you all this that your faith may not be shaken. They will expel you from the synagogues, and indeed the hour is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is doing a holy duty for God. They will do these things because they have never known either the Father or myself. But I have told you all this, so that when the time for it comes you may remember that I told you.’ Reflection In this passage from the Gospel of John, Jesus prepares His disciples for both mission and hardship. He promises the coming of the Holy Spirit—the Advocate—who will guide, strengthen, and testify to the truth. Even when facing rejection or persecution, they are not alone. Thei...