John 15: 26-27, 16: 12-15

Jesus said to his disciples. “When the Friend I plan to send you from the Father comes—the Spirit of Truth issuing from the Father – he will confirm everything about me. You, too, from your side must give your confirming evidence, since you are in this with me from the start.”

“I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t handle them now. But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won’t draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. He will honour me; he will take from me and deliver it to you. Everything the Father has is also mine. That is why I’ve said, ‘He takes from me and delivers to you.’

Gospel Reflection

Jesus clearly finds it hard to leave us and for this reason he promises the Holy Spirit to act as our guide.

The Spirit, the Essence of Life, is breathed into us many times during our journey of faith; we are energised by the sacraments and particularly the Sacrament of Pentecost – Confirmation – when we agree that we are prepared to live out the message of Jesus ourselves – that the breath of our ‘yes’ is returned by the Spirit’s own acknowledgement – that each breath we take will remind us of God within us.

Within us however, does not mean just ‘for’ us. We are brothers and sisters; we must love as we would wish to be loved; as leaders we must be peace bringers; as community we must hold that peace sacred above all else.

After all this is the message Jesus leaves us with – you are my friends – here is my strength and my gift – be redeemed – change your expectation and judgements – forgive and be forgiven – be together in unity with each other, for each other.