Vol. 5 No.34

Vol. 5 No.34

Vol.5 No. 33 DoM Gospel Reflection— John 14: 23 – 29
6th Sunday of Easter—May 1 2016
By Gina Briggs

In these verses from this Gospel of John, three distinct messages are taught:
1. Love unconditionally.
2. Receive His gift of the Holy Spirit; His Advocate.
3. Embrace His Peace. Not that of the world.
Love is very powerful. We feel it strongly towards our family and friends. We experience it most deeply in our children and grandchildren. Do we love enough to give up our life for someone? Perhaps we do, but would we die willingly for anyone? Probably not, and yet, what’s exponentially more difficult to comprehend is to willingly sacrifice our child’s life for anyone else. But that is exactly what God did for each of us.
Throughout Jesus’ ministry, he implores us to love. It’s His main theme.
“Love one another as I have loved you.”
“Love your neighbor as yourself”
“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Jesus is, in this gospel and on other occasions, preparing his disciples for his departure. But knowing He will be leaving them soon, and understanding what that meant for each of them personally were probably two very different things. Here Jesus is trying to demonstrate to His disciples two naturally mutually exclusive ideas; that he is leaving AND He will not leave them. Of course, Jesus was once again not speaking of the natural order of the world. Into this reality of HIS impending absence, Jesus begins to introduce the idea of the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, Consoler, and Advocate that will be sent to mankind by God in Jesus’ name. I suspect Jesus in the Triune Father knew just how much consolation, and counseling would be needed in the earthly journeys of those who seek to be reunited with Him.
Remember, the disciples were not so good at following Jesus’ examples while He was with them. Scripture is filled with stories of Jesus consoling and counseling the disciples. Even with His personal example, they never really matured in their faith until Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was infused into each of their hearts. After that first Pentecost, scriptures tell us that the disciples exhibited almost supernatural courage and determination in spreading the message of Jesus. It is through the Holy Spirit that Jesus foretold in this Gospel, that He is able to return to the father, AND be with us in spirit. This idea is a fundamental of Christian belief.
How does the Holy Spirit help us? Advocate is a specific term for one who defends someone against an adversary and who guides that person during the ordeal of trial. The Holy Spirit is our Advocate and Counselor who brings us safely through the challenges and adversities we must face in this life. He is the One who guides us in the way of truth. If we pursue this Truth as our lifelong ambition, we can never stop learning because the Spirit leads us deeper into the knowledge of God’s love and certainty.
For Jesus, love and obedience go hand in hand. This is something that we might find burdensome, but for Jesus obedience out of love brings peace and joy. Obedience in our day tends to have negative connotations. It is something that we have to do, even though we would rather not. Jesus himself demonstrated obedience, in the Garden of Gethsemane, when He asked the Father to “let this cup pass”, but he ended his plea with the affirmation of his love and obedience to the Father; “not my will, but your will be done.” Jesus acknowledges that at times obedience calls us to do things that we would rather not do, but if we do them based on love ,these things should not be burdensome but a beautiful act of love toward someone. So, one might use this little piece of information as a tool to ensure that we are acting from a place of love. If I am burdened by an obedient act, my heart may need some work, or the task may not be from the Father? It might help if we ponder the relationships we are in, whether it be marriage, family or friends. Think of the things that we would rather not do, but do out of love.
*The husband who spends time with his wife shopping.
*The wife who goes to some sporting event because it means a lot to her husband.
*The son or daughter who go out with their parents for some family event, but would rather be with their friends.
*The friend who drags you to a movie that you are not really interested in, but you go because you are interested in spending time with your friend.
All of these are things one might prefer not doing, but do them cheerfully out of love, because we love and enjoy being with the people who enjoy these things. Jesus is asking no less of us with regard to His message.
Fr. Anthony spoke to us about hearing God’s “ping”. That small voice in the silence of our hearts that speaks to us when we pray or read scripture. In our world today, we rarely experience silence. But if we are to hear Gods voice, or feel His presence, we need to, as scripture tells us, “Be still and know that I am God”. In order to listen like this, we must quiet our minds, bodies, and soul to allow us to enter into a prayerful silence. In the movie, War Room, the main characters create a space where they can speak to God. It is basically a small closet, which has been emptied out and all that’s left is perhaps a candle and scripture passages written on the wall. It’s a place where there are no distractions, no sounds, no exterior involvements. It’s the place one can go to pray, but more usually to speak frankly and openly with God. To yell, to cry, to beg, but also to praise, worship, and give thanks. The movie left me with a longing for such a place in my own home and I pondered what closet I could empty to give me that space. I envisioned a small walk-in that I would paint a soothing shade then would fill with candles and a beautiful crucifix. I would also have a statue or painting of Mary to remind me of her presence and guidance. It would be a beautiful peaceful sanctuary, all my own, where I would speak to God and hear Him speak to me. As I was fantasizing about my own “War Room”, I realized that I already had one. We Catholics call it Eucharistic Adoration. The biggest difference in my personal War Room and the church is that God is truly physically present there. Perhaps I won’t be yelling but I do find in the silence, God’s promise & gift, the Advocate, is there with me.
It is, therefore, in prayer, love, and obedience then, that we find peace. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)
St. Ignatius Study Bible defines “my peace” as: Not worldly peace, but a spiritual serenity that comforts us regardless of our outward circumstances.
The biblical notion of peace has more to do with spiritual welfare than the mere cessation of warfare.
Peace and love do not exist in a vacuum, or stand on their own. Simply chanting the words do not make them happen. Both require a relationship, a dependence upon another. To experience the peace and love of God, we must depend on God. Totally. Completely.
Here’s a challenge for each of us this week. Create a space and time for peace this week. Seek God’s love and peace in prayer.

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