VI EASTER SUNDAY - John 14:15-21
As we come to the end of Easter Time, our attention is drawn to the Holy Spirit, promised to the disciples by Jesus and received by them on the day of Pentecost. The resurrection of Jesus served as a gathering event for the disciples, who began to assemble on the first day of the week. However, they gathered in silence, avoiding calling attention to their group, afraid of being caught and punished by the authorities. It was only on the day of Pentecost that they got emboldened by the Holy Spirit who came upon them like a mighty wind, putting them on fire to proclaim without fear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Since then, the Holy Spirit would play a vital role in the life of the Church. When the Holy Spirit came upon Cornelius and the members of his household, who heard the word, Peter was forced to accept in amazement that God shows no partiality and calls both the Jews and the Gentiles to salvation.
The first reading (Acts 8:5-8, 14-17) makes clear the connection between the Holy Spirit, the proclamation of the Gospel and the building of the Church. The deacon Philip went to Samaria, and there he successfully proclaimed the Good News, with many people asking to be baptised. “When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.” Since “they had only been baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus”, “they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” Thus, the receiving of the Holy Spirit is connected to the ministry of the Apostles, who prayed for them and laid their hands on them. This link with the Apostles and this dependence on them is necessary to be fully empowered as disciples of Jesus Christ and recognised as members of the Church.
The Holy Spirit was promised by Jesus as the Advocate (παρακλητον), the Spirit of truth, who is with us and in us. Through him, Jesus goes on being present among us. As the Spirit of truth, He leads us to an ever-deepening understanding of the relationship between Jesus and the Father. Through Jesus, we are being introduced into that relationship: “On that day you will understand that I am in my Father and you in me and I in you.” It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to keep Jesus’ commandments, thus living in a deep relationship of love with Him and with the Father. “Anybody who receives my commandments and keeps them will be one who loves me; and anybody who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I shall love him and show myself to him.”
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