Readings: Acts 17:15,22-18:1, Ps. 148:1-2,11-14, John 16:12-15
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” (John 16:13)
In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Truth – He witnesses to the truth and leads us to discover it. Jesus says: “He will glorify Me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:14). The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus - the Way, the Truth and the Life. (John 14:6). You cannot have the Holy Spirit in you and still tell lies. This is because telling lies is not one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
We live in a world where it is difficult to find honest people. Never trust anyone who tells lies; they don’t know God. Are you in the habit of telling lies? It is time to ask the Holy Spirit’s help. If someone knows the truth and decides to twist it, that person can efficiently work for the devil. You may have heard the saying: “Say the truth and shame the devil.” Lies glorify the devil because it is his nature to deceive and destroy.
The Athenians did not accept Paul because they couldn’t face the truth. They acknowledged their ignorance by making an Altar with the inscription: “To an unknown god,” but when Paul brought the truth to them, they resisted it.
Sometimes, we know that someone is telling us the truth, but instead of listening, we become defensive. We look for a thousand reasons to shut the person down. To possess the Holy Spirit is to be receptive to the truth. Resistance to the truth (fighting people because they tell us the truth) is a clear sign of the absence of the Holy Spirit in us.
In Acts 11:20-21, Luke reports that “Some men of Cyprus and Cyrene, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Greeks also, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them, and many became believers and turned to the Lord.” Unlike the Athenians in today’s First Reading, the Holy Spirit worked in the hearts of the Greeks at Antioch to bring them to receive the Gospel. This was also the case with Cornelius.
Without the Holy Spirit working in the hearts of our listeners, our message is in vain. However, another reason for Paul’s failure was his decision to discuss Christianity as if it were one of the several shrines the Athenians had built. Christianity is not one of the options available to man by which he can worship God; Christianity is the Way.
Still, in today’s Gospel passage, Jesus said: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” (John 16:13). No one can predict tomorrow despite the latest advances in science and technology. However, as Jesus teaches, we can know the things to come through the Holy Spirit, who speaks to us in various ways.
Let us pray: Come, O Holy Spirit, fill our hearts, and enkindle in us your Sacred Fire. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Wednesday of the 6th week of Eastertide, Liturgical Colour: White. Bible Study: Acts 17:15,22-18:1, Ps. 148:1-2,11-14, John 16:12-15).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu