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Day: May 19, 2020
JOHN 16:12-15 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION
MAY 20, 2020
JOHN 16: 12-15
I still have many things to till you, but you cannot hear them now. When he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into the whole truth. For he will not speak of his own authority, but will speak what he hears, and he will tell you about the things which are to come. He will take what is mine and make it known to you; in doing this, he will glorify me. All that the Father has is mine; for this reason, I told you that the spirit will take what is mine, and make it known to you.
POINT OF REFLECTION
The gospel of today is our absolute guide towards discipleship. Believing is about witnessing. No one can be called Christian without professing faith unto Jesus by way of proclaiming God’s word.
The works of the twelve disciples after Jesus crucifixion, were very difficult most especially among Pharisees and unbelievers other than the Jews. The risk was very high and entry discussion seems unproductive. But disciples ,most particularly, St. Paul boldly preach the Good News of salvation with no fear.
According to St. Thomas Aquinas “ truth has nothing to fear”. Disciples continued to do the preaching of the Good News for with them was the Holy Spirit. They have spoken the plain truth for the truth comes from the Holy Spirit. They did not even mind who would respond and who wouldn’t respond to this royal invitation . Jesus had told them, that the Father has chosen His own and that, what the Father has owned is equally owned by the son.
Preaching is searching for those who were out of the right way. It is therefore, a voice on the dessert for redirection unto the Father. The voice was the truth from the Holy Spirit.
Preaching before was physical. Preaching today could be both physical and virtual. The new tenor comes along with the new normal phenomenon by way of technology. Though our time was not their time, the God of yesterday is the same God today and tomorrow.
Preaching today and tomorrow cannot be in the same way as before but the truth will always be the truth throughout the ages with the Holy Spirit. Let us all hold to the fact that the “ the truth has nothing to fear”. Christian obligation is to speak for the truth from the Holy Spirit for the truth will set us free from the bandage slavery because of our sins.
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GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION
MAY 19, 2020
JOHN 16: 5-11
GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION
But now I am going to the One who sent me, and none one of you ask me where I am going; instead your are overcome with grief, because of what you have said. Believe me, it is better for you that I go away, because as long as I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go away, I will send him to you, and when he comes, he will vindicate the truth before a sinful world; and he will vindicate the paths of righteousness and justice. What is the world’s sin, in regard to me? Disbelief. What is the path of righteousness? It is the path I walk, by which I go to the Father; and you shall see me no more. What is the path of justice? It is the path on which the prince of this world will always stand condemned.
POINT OF REFLECTION
Jesus died on the cross and was buried. In the third day, He rose to life and appeared to his disciples. In this way, they were reminded, about the talk of the temple destruction and rebuilding in three days. Now, the meaning was very clear to them.
Jesus appeared to his disciples and followers many times for the period of about 40 days. All of these days were spent working for the disciples’ encouragement to be steadfast of their works Jesus was leaving for them. On the final day of His ascension, Jesus assured them not to worry because a Helper, Holy Spirit, will come on his behalf. Jesus brought his disciples in a place for them to witness how the son of man ascends into heaven.
On the day of the Pentecost, 50 days after Jesus has risen, they gather in a room and prayed speaking in tongues so that the Holy Spirit send down before them and converted more or less 3000 thousand faithful. At that very day, the promise was made true.
Christians now a day’s went their ways with the Holy Spirit. We are now living a life not in Jesus human flesh but in Jesus with the Holy Spirit. That is why Jesus told the faithful that “they will not believe in you because they will not see me, you believe in me because I am with you in Spirit.
During the time of grave persecution, the high authorities wondered how the disciples endure and kept on their works amidst difficult circumstances. The very reason my dear brothers and sisters is the presence of the Holy Spirit working in them. They bravely witness Jesus with the Holy Spirit. Christianity conquers the world not by force and power of war equipment but conquers the whole world by way of Jesus greatest love and sacrifices through the death of the faithful truly inspired by the works of the Holy Spirit.
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