WEDNESDAY OF THE SIXTH WEEK OF EASTER - Gospel (John 16:12-15) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“I have much to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.” (Jn 16:12)

FIRST READING - 17:15, 22—18:1

A reading from the Book of Acts of the Apostles

After Paul's escorts had taken him to Athens,

they came away with instructions for Silas and Timothy

to join him as soon as possible.

Then Paul stood up at the Areopagus and said:

"You Athenians, I see that in every respect

you are very religious.

For as I walked around looking carefully at your shrines,

I even discovered an altar inscribed, 'To an Unknown God.'

What therefore you unknowingly worship, I proclaim to you.

The God who made the world and all that is in it,

the Lord of heaven and earth,

does not dwell in sanctuaries made by human hands,

nor is he served by human hands because he needs anything.

Rather it is he who gives to everyone life and breath and everything.

He made from one the whole human race

to dwell on the entire surface of the earth,

and he fixed the ordered seasons and the boundaries of their regions,

so that people might seek God,

even perhaps grope for him and find him,

though indeed he is not far from any one of us.

For 'In him we live and move and have our being,'

as even some of your poets have said,

'For we too are his offspring.'

Since therefore we are the offspring of God,

we ought not to think that the divinity is like an image

fashioned from gold, silver, or stone by human art and imagination.

God has overlooked the times of ignorance,

but now he demands that all people everywhere repent

because he has established a day on which he will 'judge the world

with justice' through a man he has appointed,

and he has provided confirmation for all

by raising him from the dead."

When they heard about resurrection of the dead,

some began to scoff, but others said,

"We should like to hear you on this some other time."

And so Paul left them.

But some did join him, and became believers.

Among them were Dionysius,

a member of the Court of the Areopagus,

a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

After this he left Athens and went to Corinth.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - 16:12-15

From the Gospel according to John

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."

WEDNESDAY OF THE SIXTH WEEK OF EASTER - Gospel (John 16:12-15)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

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."

The Spirit of Truth is the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of God. In the work of creating and saving humanity, the presence of the Three Persons of God—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit—is always present. The Three Persons are united as one. The era of creation by God the Father was perfect in its purpose. The era of salvation through Jesus Christ was also perfect in its own way. The era of the Holy Spirit’s activity is unique. God's plan for saving humanity will be perfectly fulfilled when He comes again in glory.

This is the era in which the Holy Spirit operates most clearly. The Holy Spirit Himself bears witness to and glorifies the Second Person of God—the Son, who came to earth, became man, died, and rose again. The Holy Spirit enlightens, guides, reminds, and teaches us everything Jesus Christ taught. He reminds us that Jesus died once and now lives forever with His people. Through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, the life of Jesus Christ becomes alive in us. Jesus is always near, accompanying us in every thought, word, and action.

By the strength and power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus remains present and active in our lives: in every prayer, in the celebration of the Mass, in the Eucharist, and in the Word of God read in Scripture.

Before His Ascension, Jesus said: “For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you.”

This promise has been fulfilled. The Holy Spirit, who has been active since the time of the Apostles, continues to be at work in the Church, in each soul, and in every person’s life. His work is gradual and patient, helping people come to know and understand Jesus's words and actions more deeply over time.

From the beginning until now, the Holy Spirit has always been active. The House of God the Father is a sign of the Holy Spirit’s presence and activity—where He used Chu Thien Thuong to write the Word of God the Father so that people would remember and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is through this that people, in every circumstance, can learn to turn to God in prayer, grow closer to Him, and love Him more deeply. This is the place where God chooses individuals to serve Him, continuing His work of salvation in this era of the Holy Spirit. It is a clear sign that the power and might of the Holy Spirit are manifested in the House of God the Father and in those whom God has chosen.

Thanks be to God. Amen.