The Spirit of Truth

 Reflection on Today’s Readings, Wednesday of 6th Week of Easter, May 25th, 2022

Texts: Acts 17: 15.22-18:1; Psalm 148:1-2.11-14; John 16:12-15

There is always more to know about God. Jesus Christ reminds us of the fact that there is always more to know about God when He says, “I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” It is clear in Jesus’ words that the knowledge of God we have is dependent on our capacity for spiritual knowledge and understanding. It was not that there was no time for Him to tell them or He was not disposed to do so. The issue was that the apostles could not bear them. ‘Why can’t they bear them?’ should be the question to ask. The apostles were indisposed and their hearts were closed. The apostles were beclouded by the religious and cultural milieu of their time; they could not understand a God who is also man. They lack capacity to bear more because they were still concerned about themselves. They were once concerned with who was the first, James and John were concerned with sitting at the right and left hands of Jesus, and Judas Iscariot were concerned with taking money from the common purse and using Jesus to do business. They were still holding on to themselves.  

Jesus Chris told them that the Holy Spirit, the spirit of truth, would lead them to all the truth. He puts it thus: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”  The Holy Spirit purifies the heart and recreate man. Paul says, “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” The Spirit purifies the heart of religious and cultural elements that becloud the heart. The Spirit infuses grace in us by which we are able to recognise God in Jesus Christ and live life worthy of Him.  

Jesus goes further to say that the Spirit will lead us to all the truth because He will speak in His authority. This means the Holy Spirit will lead us to Jesus Christ who is the truth. Through the Spirit Jesus Christ continues to leave in our heart. The Spirit also exhibits act of obedience, for He speaks what He hears. By the obedience of the Spirit to the Son, the Spirit glorifies  God the Father. It is said, “He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” We are also to be obedient to God. Whatever belongs to Jesus Christ also belongs to God the Father. We see the action of the Holy Spirit in the ministry of Paul in today’s first reading. He led the people of Athens to the truth.  

Grant, we pray, O Lord, that, as we celebrate in mystery the solemnities of your Son’s Resurrection, so, too, We may be worthy to rejoice at his coming with all the Saints. Amen (Collect)

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke