Reflection for May 13 Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter: John 16:12-15

Gospel: John 16:12-15

Jesus said to his disciples, I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. 

He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.”

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Reflection:

How can we truly feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives?

The Holy Spirit becomes alive within us when we strive to live according to the way Jesus wants us to live, rooted in the commandments of love (Luke 10:27). Everything begins when we choose to follow these commandments wholeheartedly.

As we continue to live them out each day, our hearts gradually become more aware of the gentle yet powerful presence of the Holy Spirit guiding, strengthening, and transforming us.

Therefore, we must learn to live by Jesus’ commandments of love. Yet, if we honestly examine ourselves, do we always live these commandments faithfully? Are we not sometimes selective in the way we love others? It is often easy for us to love those who love us in return, those who treat us kindly and make us feel valued.

But when people hurt us, reject us, or fail to appreciate us, loving them becomes difficult. Still, this is precisely where the Lord challenges us most deeply—to love even those who do not love us back, to show compassion even when our hearts are wounded, and to forgive even when forgiveness is painful.

The same can also be true in our relationship with God. For many of us, it is easier to love God when our prayers are answered, when blessings overflow, and when life is peaceful and secure. But when our prayers seem unanswered, when trials come, or when we experience suffering and uncertainty, our love and trust in God can be tested.

Yet the Lord calls us to remain faithful—not only in moments of joy and abundance, but also in times of silence, pain, and waiting. True love for God perseveres both in good times and in difficult times.

When we sincerely strive to love as Jesus loves, we begin to recognize the quiet movements of the Holy Spirit within us. The Holy Spirit softens our hearts, teaches us to forgive, strengthens us to persevere, and leads us closer to God each day. The more we allow love to shape our thoughts, words, and actions, the more deeply we experience God’s living presence in our lives.

Do we truly recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives today? If not, perhaps the Lord is inviting us to begin again—to follow His commandments of love not according to our own conditions, preferences, or convenience, but according to His example of selfless and unconditional love.

Are we willing to allow the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts so that we may love God and others the way Jesus loves us, even when it is difficult and demands sacrifice?— Marino J. Dasmarinas