The Truth

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Now I am going to the one who sent me,
and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’
But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts.
But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go.
For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you.
But if I go, I will send him to you.
And when he comes he will convict the world
in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation:
sin, because they do not believe in me;
righteousness, because I am going to the Father
and you will no longer see me;
condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.”
John 16:5-11 (NAB)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father how easy it is to understand what Jesus is talking about. Those who have had personal encounters with him know of the beauty of his presence, and also the grief that fills their hearts when his presence is not felt. It is their faith that sustains them in those moments of loss. But he does something truly special he sends us the Advocate. We have him in spiritual and we have him as the one chosen to lead the flock. Where truth conquers. If the ruler of this world is condemned at the time of Jesus, who then is the ruler if it isn't man. Because he had just only appointed Peter as head of the Church in his stead. But we battle the unforseen, the foe that delights in sin. The Advocate opposes everytime, don't we see it ourselves when out of the depths of our being we know when we have done wrong and do it anyway. In those moments of clarity haven't we understood that we have lost by choosing to do wrong and the Advocate of righteousness was guiding us to keep us on the right path. In today's world we have lost the sense of following right conscience, we block it out and we have become part of the world that is condemned.

Looking To Heaven

Jesus said to his disciples:
“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father,
he will testify to me.
And you also testify,
because you have been with me from the beginning.

“I have told you this so that you may not fall away.
They will expel you from the synagogues;
in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you
will think he is offering worship to God.
They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me.
I have told you this so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you.”
John 15:26-16:4a (NAB)

Prayer Reflection

The above picture came to mind when I read this mornings Gospel. Even though the picture is about the Cardinals pointing to the ceiling in the Cathedral. One could say the same in regard to this reading, look up to heaven that is where the Spirit of Truth comes from. We could also look upon our Pope as an Advocate sent from the Father. He speaks on behalf of Jesus and defends his cause, he is an advocat of peace. He is a person who pleads for or in behalf of another, he is an intercessor to God for us. The Holy Spirit works through him from the Father. Our Church suffers persecution and many are ousted from their misdeeds, and it reflects upon the Advocate who leads us in Truth. Many of us try to kill the Church because we are unhappy with ourselves rather than deal with our sinfulness and fix our brokeness. We are called to forgive, but grudges continue to mar the Church. In a sense the Church suffers from us not forgiving her for the errors that have nothing to do with us but only with those it was involved in. The Spirit of Truth speaks to us through the Advocate. Are we listening?

Tuesday the Sixth Week of Easter

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Now I am going to the one who sent me,
and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’
But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts.
But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go.
For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you.
But if I go, I will send him to you.
And when he comes he will convict the world
in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation:
sin, because they do not believe in me;
righteousness, because I am going to the Father
and you will no longer see me;
condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.”
John 16:5-11

Prayer

Dear Father we are truly the ones who benefit from your sons actions. He suffered and died and rose again in order for us to know and love the Holy Spirit, which is one with you. How blessed we are to read of this account from the time of your sons arrival and to the time of his departure where he will sit at your right hand. May we listen attentively to the Advocate to heed your Word so we may live. Amen