Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 15:26-16:4a

 

Jesus said to his disciples:  "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. "I have told you this so that you may not fall away. They will expel you from the synagogues; in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God. They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me. I have told you this so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you."

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells the Apostles that they must bear witness to him. He tells them that he will send forth the Holy Spirit “who proceeds from the Father” to help them. The Holy Spirit is called forth to protect the Apostles so that they can complete their mission on earth. The Holy Spirit becomes the strength that reinforces their will. He tells them that their mission is not easy and that they will be kicked out of their own churches because they followed Christ. It is through the Holy Spirit that they will develop the faith that they need to defend their beliefs. We too are called to go forth and proclaim the church. The Holy Spirit comes down upon us and gives us the strength that we need to spread the Word of God and the peace of Christ. But today’s Gospel goes even further to say that the word of God should not be forced upon people. Jesus said to the Apostles, “the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.” Violence is not service to God. Unfortunately we still have many fanatics in the world today still raising a fist in the name of God. We must be very careful to never raise a fist or condemn as part of our preaching. Our job is not to condemn but to spread the love and joy of Christ.

 

A Simple Pray

 

Come Holy Spirit, give me strength and wisdom to preach the word of God.

Let my actions and my words be worthy of your mission.

May peace and harmony be the result of my efforts.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon