Gospel
Jn 16:5-11

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Now I am going to the one who sent me,
and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’
But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts.
But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go.
For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you.
But if I go, I will send him to you.
And when he comes he will convict the world
in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation:
sin, because they do not believe in me;
righteousness, because I am going to the Father
and you will no longer see me;
condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.”

Reflection

Some people say that God seems to be so far away from us at times, while others find God to be silent and distant, but he is with us though we are not aware of his presence.

In the gospel today Jesus tells us some important things about the work of the Holy Spirit. What is really the role of the Holy Spirit? What does the Holy Spirit do for us?

Somebody once said that our experience of the Holy Spirit is like wearing eyeglasses. When they are set comfortably on our nose, we are not aware of them. Their best work is done when, through them, we can see a movie we are watching or a book we are reading. Glasses are not to be seen, but to be seen through.

The Holy Spirit is like that. To complain that we can’t find him is like complaining we can’t find our glasses when all the while we are wearing them.

We often describe the Holy Spirit as a “mighty wind.” Wind in Greek is called “gnoe” which means “breath” or “spirit.” The spirit is supposed to “inspire or “breathe life into.” And one who is inspired receives life, becomes invigorated.

The Spirit is the Church’s breath. It has been the dynamic force, the life-breath of the Church.

Today we ask the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen us in our faith and convictions. At the same time, we ask Him to convert us from our sinfulness.