CAMINANDO WITH JESUS: The Spirit of Truth
Jesus said, ”If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And 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. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.
”I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”
- John 14:15-21
This Sunday's Gospel is rooted in a promise of companionship. Jesus tells his disciples that he cannot physically stay with them for long. However, he promises not to leave them alone and stranded. According to his promise, the Father will send an advocate, albeit a mysterious one without a physical body! We as Nicene Christians know that the “Spirit of truth” referred to in the text is indeed the Holy Spirit of the Holy Trinity. We have also read the story of the day of Pentecost with its tongues of fire, and from it we know that the presence of God hardly ever comes as we want or expect it. However, this initial promise is still valid, once and for all. We continue marching towards the Kingdom well accompanied, clothed in light and not in darkness.
Sisters and brothers in Christ, these days of the pandemic have been difficult. Admittedly, it feels like every day I learn something new that hinders my sense of personal security and that invites me to put more trust in God. Meditating on that reality, it gives me great peace to know that a key aspect of this reading is that the word defensor (defender), used in the Dios Habla Hoy Spanish version of the Bible, is based squarely on the original Greek: parakletos. While parakletos does indeed mean defender, it can mean much more as well, allowing one to choose from several good options to translate it: comforter, helper, mentor [or advocate, as in the NRSV] all work. In that frame of mine, I invite you to contemplate a much-loved song, offered here in translation, from the Latin American liturgical tradition. It really is a simple and beautiful prayer to the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus. I hope it will strengthen you on your way to Pentecost, which we will celebrate on May 31.
Holy Spirit, come, come (3)
In the name of Jesus.
Accompany me, steer me, take my life
Sanctify me, transform me;
Holy Spirit, come! Holy Spirit, come, come (3)
In the name of Jesus.
Resurrect me, convert me every day
Glorify me, renew me; Holy Spirit, come!
Holy Spirit, come, come (3)
In the name of Jesus.
Strengthen me, console me from my regrets
Strengthen me, liberate me; Holy Spirit, come!
Holy Spirit, come, come (3)
In the name of Jesus.
(Composer: Richardo Mishler) https://www.youtube.com/watch?
The Rev. Gus Chrysson is assistant at the rector at St. Mary's, High Point.
Tags: Caminando with Jesus
