John 14,15-21.
Today’s gospel is a continuation of Jesus’ discourse to his disciples at the Last Supper, following on from last week’s gospel. Love binds the disciple to his Lord and the concrete expression of that love is keeping his commandments. The demand to love Jesus is a relatively rare in the New Testament in comparison with the demand to believe in him. Twice in today’s gospel, (in Vs 15 and 21), loving Jesus and keeping his commandments are accompanied by a promise of a divine presence for those who do so. In v15 Jesus promises to ask the Father to give his loving disciples another Paraclete, the Spirit of truth to be with them forever. Paraclete is a very rich notion including functions of an Advocate as in a law- court; a Helper or side-kick, one at your side to call on for help; a Comforter when Jesus seems absent; and a Counsellor and guide as Jesus was when with his disciples.
When Jesus departs from the disciples in death, he will not leave them unsupported. The Paraclete, the Spirit of truth, will come from the Father at Jesus’ request to be with them and in them. The world will not understand the Spirit as it didn’t understand Jesus. Neither will it understand the spirit-filled disciples whom the Spirit will help and support.
Although Jesus will die very soon and leave the disciples, he assures them that they will not be left like orphans, for they will see him soon again in the resurrection. “That day,” in the scriptures, often refers to the end times when all God’s purposes, his kingdom, will be realized, but here, Jesus is thinking primarily of the resurrection when they will see the mystery of the mutual indwelling of the Father and the Son, and their indwelling in the Son. His disciples who keep his commandments of love show their love for Jesus and will be loved by the Father. Love is the subject of Jesus’ commandments and the motive for keeping them. As Wisdom was visible (Wis. 6,13) to those who loved her and observed her laws (Wis. 6,18), so will the glorious risen Lord be seen by his disciples, who will be loved by him because they love him and observe his commandments. The Father will love them because they love the Son who loves both Him and them.
Jesus did not leave his disciples orphans when he died, rose, and ascended to the Father. He provided for them by sending them the Holy Spirit to be their friend, supporter, defender, counsellor, guide, and inspiration.
The Holy Spirit is with each of us, in our parish community, and the universal church, helping all as he helped the apostles. All we need do is to be open to the Holy Spirit in ourselves, in others and in the Church. Pope Francis is an inspiring example of a dynamic spirit- filled witness to the good news we Christians are heir to in Christ.
Jesus speaks of our loving him by keeping his commandments. Name as many reasons as you can why you love him. Can you remember times when you really felt loved by him? How do you express your love for him?
Fr Geoff O’Grady