When the Spirit comes
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Mon, 27 May 2019 16:00:59 +0000
Gospel: Jn 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.”
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Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit as the “Advocate” who acts as defender, consoler, friend, and one who reminds the disciples of the words of Jesus. But to the “accusers,” like the unbelieving world and the devil, the Spirit-Advocate also acts as a prosecuting attorney. His activity will cover three aspects. He will show the world how wrong it was about sin because it refused to believe in Jesus (Sin with capital “S” is ultimately unbelief in John’s Gospel). Then Jesus, who will be condemned to death, will be posthumously vindicated along with the righteousness of his cause. Lastly, Satan, the ruler of this world, who has seemingly triumphed, will be shown only to have been bringing on a downfall because he had been prejudged by God from all eternity.
Let us ask the Holy Spirit for the gift of enlightenment about sin and the attractions of the world, and for the grace to know what is right in the eyes of God.
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SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2017” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: books@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.