1Reflection for May 10 Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter: John 15 26—16:4a

Gospel: John 15:26—16:4a

Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.     

“I have told you this so that you may not fall away. They will expel you from the synagogues; in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God. They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me. I have told you this so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you.”

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Reflection:

The story is told of a man who longed deeply to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in his life. He would often whisper, “Come, Holy Spirit, I need You.” He repeated this prayer countless times—but still, he felt nothing. 

Simply calling upon the Holy Spirit is not enough. Yes, it is good to invite Him, but we must go beyond the words. We must live lives that are truly attuned to the teachings of our Lord Jesus. We must not only speak His words—we must live and breathe them, so to speak. 

As we strive each day to walk in the footsteps of Christ, something beautiful begins to happen. Slowly but surely, we start to feel the quiet, empowering presence of the Advocate—the Holy Spirit. He does not rush in with fanfare, but gently fills the soul that is faithful and sincere. 

Let us therefore live out the Gospel boldly and joyfully. Let us not be afraid to share it, live it, and be transformed by it. For it is only by living the teachings of Jesus that we can truly discern and experience the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 

In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to His disciples about the coming of the Advocate—none other than the Holy Spirit. He assures them that the Spirit will be given to them at the right time, according to His will. What Jesus asks of them—and of us—is simple but profound: to remain faithful to Him and to His word. 

May we never forget that inviting the Holy Spirit into our lives is a beautiful beginning, but it is not the end. To truly welcome Him, we must also live in faithful obedience to Christ. When we do, we will indeed feel His presence within us—the Holy Spirit, our Comforter, our Guide, our Advocate. – Marino J. Dasmarinas