Gospel of John, chapter 14:15-17

Getting our lives in order is not always easy. An examined prayerful and tested life can disclosure our priorities and tell us where our true allegiance lies. In today’s scripture, it is the Paraclete, the spirit of truth who will offer comfort and encouragement to us when we are experiencing abuse and criticism for our beliefs. Jesus asks us to keep our conscience clean by being faithful to the commands He gave us. He raises our hopes by telling us that he will give us another Paraclete to be with us always: the spirit of truth.

The gospel of John (John14/15-21), specifically, speaks about the holy spirit as “another Paraclete.” Jesus will continue to be our Advocate, but another helper will come, will reside within us, and will reveal God’s will to us. Thus we are assured that the Holy Spirit will aid us and anyone else who searches for the truth. The beautiful story in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 8/15-17) about the deacon, Philip, baptizing the Samaritans, and the Apostles, laying their hands upon them so that they might receive the Holy Spirit, illustrates the dynamic movement of the Holy Spirit. The Samaritans were regarded as outsiders in Jesus’ time. Nevertheless, these rejected, isolated and excluded people accepted the preaching of Philip with as much enthusiasm as the Samaritan woman at the well, who once accepted Jesus. They were a lively bunch, these Samaritans, and they were lovingly touched by the spirit and teaching of the gospel. The apostles laid their hands upon them so that they might receive the Holy Spirit which was not confined or limited to any exclusive group.

The Holy Spirit, therefore, sustains all who seek the truth of God. It is through the action of the Holy Spirit that Christians can proceed securely in love and allegiance to the commandments of Jesus. Sometimes, the Holy Spirit surprises us as the early church was surprised by the unexpected, wholesale Samaritan conversions. The great rejoicing of these conversions reverberated throughout the whole Church.

Today’s scripture promises us the aid of the Holy Spirit. We are encouraged to stay the course and to know that the Holy Spirit is at once sustaining and surprising us. If we try to live faithful, Christian lives, the Holy Spirit will take care of the rest.

We will see and understand, and we will be surprised by joy.

Fr. Hugh Duffy