6th Week of Easter 2018 - Tuesday - Convicting the World

The Gospel of John’s account of the Last Supper is quite different from the other Gospels. For one, St. John omits the institution of the Eucharist and includes the washing of the Apostles’ feet.  John’s Last Supper is also a much longer text, spanning several chapters compared to just a few verses in other Gospels. And this is so, principally because it contains what scholars call Jesus’ Farewell Discourse in which Jesus delivers one of the most moving, theologically rich, and mystical passages in the whole New Testament.

Jesus’s Farewell follows the example of the farewell speeches of the great men and women from the Old Testament: people like Jacob, Moses, David, Tobit, Noah, Rebecca, Isaac, and Enoch.
Addressing those who are closest to them, they speak about their impending deaths, and offer comfort in the face of the grief their announcement produces.  They promise how God’s care and God’s saving plan will continue. And they leave instructions on how those left behind should behave.

Jesus’ farewell discourse fits this pattern well: he speaks about his coming crucifixion, death, resurrection, and ascension to the Father. Jesus certainly offers instructions for his disciples, as well: they are to love one another, by following his example of humble self-sacrificial service.

Today we hear how news of Jesus’ going to the Father so fills the disciples hearts that they are rendered speechless. Jesus makes the astonishing claim that it is better that he goes than if he stayed. Because the sending of the Spirit will usher in a brand-new chapter in God’s Saving Plan in which the world will become convicted for the Gospel.

The Spirit Advocate, like a defense attorney, will prove the case for Jesus Christ. He will defend Christ’s claim to be God, to be the Messiah, to be the Savior. This great court case will play out over the remainder of human history, and the evidence with which the Spirit will use to prove the case, is us, the Church.

You want to know Jesus is Lord? Look at what the Spirit has done throughout human history and continues to do. Look at the Saints he has produced. Look at the miracles he has accomplished and continues to accomplish. Look at the Courage He inspires and the consolation he brings to the suffering.

To those with eyes, let them see, the work of the Spirit. May each of us cooperate as well as we can with the Spirit, that others may come to know the evidence of God, Father, Son, and Spirit, working in our life.

May He continue to use us to convict the world that Jesus is Lord, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That all bishops, priests, catechists, and parents may be faithful in preaching and teaching the saving Gospel of Christ.
For those who do not believe in God and for those who have fallen away from the Church.
For an increase in the gifts of the Holy Spirit among all Christians, and for all who are persecuted for the faith.
For the sick, the suffering, those in nursing homes, hospitals, and hospice care, for the underemployed and unemployed, for the imprisoned, those with addictions, for those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, that the Spirit of Consolation may comfort them.
For the deceased members of our families, friends and parish, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for all those who fought and died for our freedom.
O God, who know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.