learning anew

Monday of the

Sixth Week of Easter

May 18th

READING: John 15: 26 – 16: 4

‘When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning.

‘I have said these things to you to keep you from stumbling. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, an hour is coming when those who kill you will think that by doing so they are offering worship to God. And they will do this because they have not known the Father or me. But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them.

‘I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you.”

~~~

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993, 1995 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

REFLECTION

The words – as much the translators’ as John’s – often become a little confusing. John is striving for what will later become profound trinitarian theology, but isn’t yet equipped for the task (nor has anyone really been so since). The Advocate, will come (has come, we would say), will speak, motivate, empower us and so much more, will make all that Jesus made present, but now release that presence in space and time, will comfort, guide, resource even us as we seek to live and proclaim the unseen reign of God. Jesus did not need to be represented by the Spirit when incarnate in the flesh. He self-represented. But post-Ascension things changed, as we will celebrate at Pentecost.

John has crafted this carefully. As I said previously, the task of the people of God is not to be attention-seeking idiots in the name of Jesus. Persecution has found Christians from time to time. Indeed, in any given time there are Christians ostracized and dying for their faith. Not those who seek acclamation for keeping churches open in a time of unseen viral death. 

Those who tread in the warm footprints of Jesus do not seek death or impose it on others. They seek and give life and hope; much of the work of the life-giving Spirit of Jesus right now is seen in the work of those on the front line of medical care, whether or not they see themselves as Christ-bearers. There are others, not of this flock, said Jesus.

Our task, though we do as Jesus said, stumble, is to permit the Spirit to prevent the completion of that stumble. To do that we must be immersed in prayer and biblical awareness. This time of lock-down, in all its tragedy (which may yet unfold to greater depths), may well have been a gift to some, as we learn anew to read and pray.