Sharing the Word

This activity of the Spirit will take place in the context of the Church. Through the Church we have access to the action of the Spirit--active in us and for us.

Jesus has told the apostles that he is going away and that the spokesman--the advocate--is coming who will set things right. The Holy Spirit--our defender and our advocate--is still at work today bringing the life and death of Jesus into full effectiveness for the salvation of the world.

It’s hard for us to grasp the relationships between the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit. They're all God, all involved in our salvation, all protecting us. God’s generosity knows no bounds.

Because we are Jesus’ disciples, we too face rejection and persecution. Not everybody likes what we stand for. But if we suffer for proclaiming what Jesus taught we won’t be alone.

Jesus isn’t calling us to kill ourselves for others, but he is calling us to make the well-being of others a primary element of our lives. My life is not about me. My life is about us.

Jesus invites us to take joy in the awareness that we are loved--loved with the same love with which Father and Son love one another. It’s almost more than we dare imagine.

If we stay attached to the vine we will have life, and bring forth the abundant fruit that the Father has in mind for Jesus’ disciples. In our fruitfulness the Father is glorified.

Jesus promised the disciples his peace. It’s not the mere absence of conflict nor economic well-being that he's promising. It is rather the assurance of salvation--the guarantee of fullness of life.

Authentic glory and praise belongs only to God because of his mercy and truth. All other gods--all other energies--are nothing in comparison with him.