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...
Gospel John 14:15-21 I shall ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If you love me you will keep my commandments. I shall ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you for ever, that Spirit of truth whom the world can never receive since it neither sees nor knows him; but you know him, because he is with you, he is in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come back to you. In a short time the world will no longer see me; but you will see me, because I live and you will live. On that day you will understand that I am in my Father and you in me and I in you. Anybody who receives my commandments and keeps them will be one who loves me; and anybody who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I shall love him and show myself to him.’ Short Reflection Jesus reminds us that love is not just words, but action—keeping His commandments. He promises we are never alone, sending the Holy Spirit to dwell with...