We have come to learn
over the years that John’s Gospels defy literal translation and find that we must suspend our literal inclination and allow the words to become flesh in us and
take them to our hearts so that we might intuitively feel their presence and know
the Spirit. Padovano tells us that Jesus will never be found by those who
reduce faith to words or doctrines or who limit religious behavior to moral
exercises or spiritual behavior. So, in our Gospel (John 14:23-29) Jesus says: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another
Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world
cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him.”
Have we ever seen the Holy Spirit? This is not a trick question. Let’s think
for a moment. The best description we get in the Bible of the Holy Spirit are
tongues of flame or a freely blowing breeze. However, in this week's reading we
get two helpful hints that offer a pretty good picture of just what the Holy
Spirit looks like.
The Holy Spirit looks like an Advocate --the one who stands up for you when you need it; the one who
speaks on your behalf; the one who lends you a helping hand, takes your side,
and won't leave you while you're down.
The Holy Spirit looks like Jesus. The Spirit is "another advocate"
because Jesus is the first. The Spirit, Jesus goes on to say, will abide with
us and is sent in Jesus' name to remind us of what he taught. In a very real
way, the Spirit affirms Jesus presence in us and through us, and helps to keep
his promise that he will not leave us orphaned. You know him, because he abides
with you, and lives with us
An advocate is defined as one who upholds and defends a cause or person,
and intercedes on the part of another. Yes, we've seen the Spirit many times in
those who share the love of Christ, and stand up for one another.
John’s Gospel is as relevant today as it was when it was written two
thousand years ago. There are advocates for the love of God in our midst…and
there are adversaries.
Come Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
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