The Spirit Of Truth Will Be My Witness (John 15:26)

“They will expel you from their synagogue” (John 16:2)

There are some frightening words in today’s gospel passage. Jesus is giving the disciples a farewell discourse when suddenly he says, don’t be surprised when “They expel you from the synagogues” and “when anyone kills you” (John 16:2). It sounds discouraging. He goes on to say, “When these things happen, know that you have been forewarned” (John 16:4).

No one ever said, “The Christian life would be easy!” If you are a follower of Christ, you are destined to be hated by the world. It often happens that when a person begins to live in a more Christian manner, they meet with opposition and hatred even from their own family and friends. No one knows what has aroused the hatred but definitely, it is the work of the evil one, who moves everything to discourage us.

Even in the Church too, we find those who are of the world and believe that they are serving God (John 16:2) persecuting the true disciples of Christ. Some who identify themselves with what they consider “the interests of the Church” can even persecute [and at times with malice,] those who are Gospel-minded. In reality, they know neither Jesus nor the Father (John 16:3). However if our hope is rooted in God, we remain steadfast no matter what trials we face.

God has not left us orphans. He has given us the Holy Spirit to guide and motivate us, on life’s journey. The Spirit is always by our side supporting us so that we seldom fall face down. The Acts of the Apostles records how the Spirit worked in the first disciples of Jesus. Before granting miraculous powers, the Spirit gave them joy, peace and mutual love as well as inner certainty that, Jesus had risen and was among them.

The Spirit bears witness in guiding missionaries; he gives them the power to perform miracles; he gives to believers the knowledge of God, new capacities for working, healing, serving and shaking up a sinful world. Throughout history, the Spirit has raised up, people of faith, martyrs, prophets and through them transformed the world. In all their trails, these workers of the kingdom had not forgotten the promise of Jesus. They did not feel orphaned. They are a "creative minority" (Benedict XVI). The expulsion of the apostles gave birth to Christianity; their persecution and martyrdom ignited the spread of the faith. We live for the Lord and we die for the Lord. That is authentic Christian life!

“God of mercy may our celebration of your Son’s resurrection help us to experience its effects in out lives.”