Word to the Wise
Sunday, May 13, 2007 - Sixth Sunday in Easter
[Acts 15:1-2:22-29; Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23; John 14;23-29]I have told you all this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.
The context of the audience who initially read Jesus' Last Supper discourse (and all the Gospel of John, for that matter) is a time at least 20 years after the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. Some messianic belief included one that the destruction of the temple would mark the time of the Second Coming or even the First Coming of the Messiah. The temple represented not only worship but teaching as well within Jerusalem. All of that disappeared when the Romans destroyed the temple. What would replace it? It would be almost as if, in our time, Rome were wiped off the map! To whom would we turn if the pope and all the curia were included in that destruction? The first person we would turn to would be the Holy Spirit to guide us in the effort to reorganize and create a future for the Church. This is precisely what Jesus is warning the disciples in this discourse and disciples who would hear or read his words later on. Shortly after the Last Supper, Jesus was arrested and crucified. What were they to do? Furthermore, the belief that Jesus would return soon turned out to be premature. Who would teach them in the meantime (which still continues). The answer is the same, the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, whom Jesus sent and sends is the one who reminds us of what Jesus has taught and guides the Church and believers in our own time. The constant presence of the Holy Spirit is a matter of faith. It is not just something that occurs at Confirmation but is God's consistent inspiration and comfort in the community. This same Holy Spirit continues to teach AND to remind us of all that Jesus has told us. With this Holy Spirit, there will always be a future for our faith till the end of time. AMEN
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