John 16:5-11

Acts 16:22-34

Psalm 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8

John 16:5-11

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.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, guide me with your Holy Spirit. I cannot save myself or sanctify myself through my own efforts. Salvation and holiness are gifts from you. I am saved and sanctified by welcoming your saving grace in faith and in the Sacraments. Work in me, reign in my heart, and send me out like the Apostles to bring others into communion with you.

Encountering the Word of God

1. A Farewell Discourse: Jesus’ discourse at the Last Supper in the Gospel of John is a type of last will and testament and also a farewell discourse. He wants to teach his disciples some of his most important lessons about the Eucharist, the new commandment of love, the need for unity in the Church, etc. In today’s Gospel, he openly recognizes how grief has filled his disciples’ hearts. Jesus points out that they want to ask him about where he is going and what is going to happen to him. They should know the answer to both questions, as Jesus was very deliberate in his words on their final journey to Jerusalem and spoke about his departure (exodus) at least three times on the way. Jesus foretold being condemned to death by the religious authorities and crucified in Jerusalem during the Passover. He also promised to rise on the third day. But his disciples’ hearts were slow to understand all this.

2. Is It Really Better for Jesus to Depart? Jesus proclaims that it is better for him to go. How should we understand this? The goodness of Jesus’ departure can be a reference to his beneficial death on the Cross. Through his death, he conquers death. Through his obedient and innocent suffering, he makes atonement for our sins. Through his death, he takes upon himself the curse of the Old Covenant and establishes the New Covenant through the pouring out of his blood. As well, his death is not the end. He will be raised up and ascend to heaven and send us his Spirit to guide us to our heavenly home. And so, while we could think that it would have been better for him to not to have left us, we should rejoice like disciples on the way back from the Ascension (see Luke 24:52). We should rejoice because Jesus has left us to prepare a place for us in the Father’s House, but he has also mysteriously remained with us in the Eucharist, in the Church, and through the Spirit. He has not left us orphans, but continues to care for us and guide us.

3. The Mission of the Holy Spirit: In the Gospel of John, Jesus speaks about the mission of the Holy Spirit as the Advocate (Paraclete). “At work since creation, having previously ‘spoken through the prophets,’ the Spirit will now be with and in the disciples, to teach them and guide them ‘into all the truth’” (CCC, 243) The Spirit empowers Jesus’ disciples to proclaim the Gospel with boldness, instructs them in the fullness of truth, strengthens them to bear witness to Christ in times of persecution, and defends them against the works of the devil. The Spirit is the one, who “exposes the sin of unbelief for what it is (John 3:20), convinces the world that Christ, though condemned as a criminal, was truly righteous (John 8:46), and makes it known that Satan and every enemy of Christ will face judgment for rejecting him (John 5:26-29; 12:31)” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, 1920).

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I renew my faith in your divine power over evil. The devil wants me to be discouraged, to despair, and to turn my gaze from you. You, however, invite me to turn to the Counselor who convicts the world of sin, judges the devil, and shows me the path to righteousness.

Living the Word of God: How is my relationship with the Holy Spirit? What do I ask from the Spirit? Do I seek daily guidance from the Spirit in prayer? When I pray, do I speak to and listen to each one of the divine Persons? If I relate to the Father as an adopted child and to Jesus as my brother and Savior, how should I relate to the Spirit? What does it mean to be a Temple of the Holy Spirit? How does the Spirit inspire me today? How does the Spirit flow in me like a river of life?