Daily Reflection – 5/8/2024
Sacred Scripture
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 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.” (John 16:12-15)
Reflection
The disciples stood on the beginning of a world about to be transformed by the teachings of Christ.
Yet, at that time, Jesus’ teachings, rich in wisdom and parable, often left more questions than answers. But there was a promise from Christ– a beacon of hope that said they would never walk alone; that they would be equipped to continue their mission beyond what they could then comprehend. This promise was the gift of the Holy Spirit.
We see this promise fulfilled at Pentecost, where the disciples, empowered by the Holy Spirit, went beyond their human limitations to bear witness to Christ in a myriad of languages and missions. But what does all that mean for us today?
To understand that we can turn to the wisdom offered by Augustine of Hippo, who poetically wrote about the restless yearning of the human heart for God. “You have made us, O God, for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” Within that statement, there is an intrinsic truth about our nature and desire. In our choices, relationships, and even our dreams, we knowingly or unknowingly, seek and pray for the presence of God — for we know that every good and perfect thing flows from Him.
Thomas Aquinas wrote a complementary perspective, stating that our inherent human orientation is towards God’s goodness because of our divine creation. We are, according to Aquinas, “hardwired” to pursue goodness because it reflects the ultimate good that is God.
Here is where our humanity is tested. It’ s not the inclination towards desiring God that we find challenging, for that desire is etched into our very being. But the true trial lies in distinguishing the genuine goodness of God from all the illusions created by humankind.
THAT is where the indispensable role of the Holy Spirit in our lives comes into prominence in our lives (John 16: 12-15.). Jesus, understanding the limitations of human comprehension and the vast expanse of divine wisdom yet to be revealed, promised the Spirit of truth to his disciples. The Holy Spirit is not a mere external guide but an indwelling presence that directs us towards the profound truths of God’s kingdom, helping us discern the real from the guise, the everlasting from the ephemeral.
Jesus assured his disciples, and by extension, us, that the Holy Spirit “will guide you into all the truth…and declare to you the things that are to come.” This assurance holds a promise of continuous revelation and guidance, a beacon that not only reveals God’s wisdom, power, and glory but also invites us into a deeper communion with Him. Through the Holy Spirit, we are offered a glimpse into the boundless joy and freedom found in living within God’s love and truth.
The Holy Spirit awaits us, desiring to guide our lives toward the genuine good for which we were created. In acknowledging this divine gift, we are invited to explore the depths of our desire for God, allowing the Holy Spirit to illuminate our path, clarify our choices, and lead us into the fullness of truth.
May we open our hearts to the guiding presence of the Holy Spirit, trusting in the divine wisdom that leads us to the fulfillment of our deepest yearnings and into the loving embrace of God.
Prayer of The Day
“Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit and guide me in your way of life, truth, and goodness. Free me from ignorance of your truth, and from deception and moral blindness caused by sinful pride and the refusal to believe and obey your word of truth. May I love you with all of my heart, mind, and strength, and seek to please you in all things.”
Daily Note
Jesus knew that his disciples could not fully understand on their own everything he had taught and revealed to them while he was physically present with them. He knew that they would need the ongoing guidance and help of the Holy Spirit after he returned to his Father in heaven. That is why he assured them that the Holy Spirit would take what he had spoken to them and guide them into a fuller understanding of God’s wisdom, power, and glory he wished to share with them so they could live in the joy and freedom of his love and truth.
