John 14:15-17 “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
How in tune are we with the wonderful promise that the Father will give us another Counsellor, the Spirit of Truth. He then goes on to declare that we know him. How? Because the Spirit dwells with us and will be in us. He teaches us that we can know, that the same Holy Spirit joins us to him as he is joined to the father. Shouldn’t this be the most astounding news that the spirit dwells in us. The promise is an abiding presence whose voice can easily be drowned by our everyday plans and concerns. To be open to the spirit, we must quieten ourselves.
Another amazing thing is that Jesus speaks about being still alive even after his death. Mostly we find Jesus to be alive for us in the love of others. There is an energy of love which is connected to the energy of God, for God is love. This is the working of the Spirit of god, alive in love, care and compassion, and in all other good works.
Love is evident in action and any activity can be tiring. I do not need to rely on my own resources but turn to God who promises to help me, ready to send the Holy Spirit.
N T Wright, the famous New Testament scholar talks about the task of Christians in the world. He says, "Many say, 'Oh yes, the Holy Spirit came in his place to live in us.' Yes, but for what purpose? The Holy Spirit came to empower us to be God's life in the world. We are to do the work of God in the world. We are to be God to the world. And we cannot do that alone.
God of all time and space,
you initiated the relationship of love and generosity with creation
at a time before and beyond all knowing.
Through the Word and the Spirit,
you continue in eternal love for all beings.
Fill us with a deep and abiding awareness of your presence,
your call, and your grace in our lives and in our world.
Shape us to into the people you have made us to be –
poured out in creative mercy
for the sake of Jesus Christ in all creation. Amen.
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