Word to the Wise
Monday, May 23, 2011 - 5th Week of Easter - Mon
[Acts 14:5-18 and John 14:21-26,911]Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him......I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name - he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.
Two major themes of the "Farewell Discourse" are introduced here. One of them has been present throughout the gospel - "remaining" or "dwelling" - and the other is the "Advocate" ("paraclete" in older translations) "whom the Father will send in my name." Both these themes refer to the important reality of Jesus' "presence" in the disciples and in the church after the resurrection.
In the "Prologue" to the Gospel of John, we are told, "The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us." I am put in mind of the expression "to be there for someone." We use this in a positive way for those whose help and support have been constant for us in our lives. He/she was always "there" for me! The gospel expression is more profound in the sense that for the one who believes in Jesus, faith makes Jesus present in that person so that the believer actually enjoys eternal life through faith. This requires that we REMAIN in that faith and love. We will encounter this later on in this discourse.
How is it that we will be able to "remain" in Christ and Christ in us? This comes about through the help of the Holy Spirit. St. Thomas Aquinas tells us that the "new law of Christ is nothing other than the Holy Spirit working in our hearts through faith in Christ." This is what guides us in our everyday life and decisions if only we do not put obstacles in the way!
This is all part of our continuing effort in these days to work through the "Farewell Discourse" and recognize the themes and teachings that are addressed to us as disciples. AMEN
config
view
logs
4096.0 KB
573 ms
4
