Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter

Lectionary: 291

 

“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.”

Pentecost is approaching, the grand finale of the Easter Season. Saint Luke describes the event in detail. The disciples obediently retreated to the Cenacle (or “Upper Room”), following Jesus’ directions, although they had little idea what would happen next. On the Jewish feast of Pentecost, fifty days after the Passover, they were suddenly visited by the Holy Spirit which descended upon them in “tongues of fire.” These tongues gave them the amazing ability to speak in many tongues to the Jewish pilgrims who had come to the Holy City. If humankind’s only language had been confused atop the Tower of Babel, it was resolved from the upper room (a “tower?”) in Jerusalem.

More importantly, the Spirit banished fear from their hearts as they spoke of the Risen Lord to the crowds with ecstatic enthusiasm. They were so thrilled by the Spirit some people thought they were drunk. Obviously, they had much to learn about living this new spiritual way of life.

The Jewish religion had been familiar with the Spirit of Prophecy for many centuries. Even in King Saul’s time, bands of prophets had roamed around making pronouncements as they danced themselves into ecstatic fits. When King David organized his government, he left a place for these unruly characters to act as God’s spokespersons. He trusted Nathan to support his authority even when the prophet exposed his affair with Bathsheba. For the next several centuries prophets would criticize the governments of Judah and Israel; many of their pronouncements, songs, and poetry were recorded and treasured in our Bible to this day.

In today’s gospel, we learn Jesus’ intention to anoint his disciples with the “Spirit of Truth.” They will testify to the Truth, as Jesus has done; as the Spirit testifies to them. Although less tangible than the flesh, bones, and blood of Jesus, the Holy Spirit is just as real as Jesus. For the word real, we might use present or powerful. Although immaterial, the Spirit matters intensely. Without the Spirit, we have no purpose; our life is pointless and worthless.

Our Catholic tradition – the Baltimore Catechism – described characters which are given to the baptized, confirmed, and ordained. These are indelible tattoos on the soul, marking the elect for eternity. We could describe them as ontological changes of our nature. Over and above our natural birth as human beings, the rites give us a new standing in God’s presence, and a new responsibility in the world.

By our testimony to the Truth we suffer the privileges of Jesus. Rather than sectarian triumphalism, the Advocate teaches us courtesy and gentle respect for those who embrace other religions and ideologies. We know our shortcomings too well to lord it over others. We find solace in prayer and in one another’s company, especially when our entitlements include suspicion, contempt, and rejection.

We may be tempted to desert the One who is True. We know many have done that. But we follow our hearts because, as Saint Augustine said, they are drawn to Love like iron to a magnet.