Word to the Wise
Monday, May 15, 2023 - 6th Week of Easter - Mon
[Acts 16:11-15 and John 15:26-16:4a]"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." [John]
An adversarial juridical tone appears often in the Gospel According to John. Words like "testimony" and "judgment" and "verdict" and "condemnation" appear. Another term we have heard, but is translated "advocate" in today's passage is "paraclete" (from the Greek parakaleo). Today's passage speaks of future persecution which would have been happening at the time of the composition of the gospel.
Bearing testimony is not something we often think about when we are just being ordinary faithful Catholics. It's as much a matter of who we are as it is of what we do. Perhaps we might think of it as "giving good example" to our family and friends. But there are places in the world today where Christians are forbidden to wear any insignia like a cross on the outside of their clothing or on their gathering places! The reaction from those authorities would be like what Jesus says about people who think it is a religious act to kill a Christian (or Jew, or Moslem, or Hindu or Buddhist). Why does faith incite violence?
Jesus promises the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our efforts to live faithfully the commandments he has given to us. We may fail (as the disciples did in the Garden of Gethsemane) but the Spirit will be steadfast and we can pick ourselves up and continue. The Ascension of the Lord and the coming of the Holy Spirit are a reminder of the task and risk of bearing testimony. The ball will be in our court! AMEN