Gospel
Jn 16:12-15

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 from 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.”

Reflection

Ancient Greek mythology taught that there exists divine power, called “daimon,” which determines a person’s fate, and is apt to intervene suddenly and supernaturally in a person’s life so as to help, inspire, guide that person. This divine being was normally regarded as good. Thus the expression “hoi daimones” (the demons) is used in Homer with the meaning of the “the gods.” The Greek philosopher Socrates often referred to a personal “daimon” or spirit who always warned him against some proposed course of action which would be harmful to him. In his view, this spiritual genius was something distinct from the mere voice of conscience.

In the gospel today, Jesus describes the action of the Holy Spirit – as “guiding to all truth.” He does not specify that the truth revealed is limited to purely religious matters. Would it be too fanciful to think that the Spirit is the one guiding anybody in search of any type of truth? If so, would it not be the Spirit who guides a scientist to discover a new medicine, a better source of energy, a deeper understanding of the human mind? Would it not be the Spirit who guides the musician, the artist, the story teller? And, on a more modest level, would it not be the Spirit who helps me pass my exam, find the money for the next month’s rent, discern what kind of career would best fit me and serve the world? No doubt, the action of the Spirit is far, far more extensive than we can even begin to imagine.

Today we pray to 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.