"Spirit of Truth"

Jesus promised that this Spirit would remain with believers forever,

serving as a counselor and comforter.

The Spirit of Truth is often received through repentance.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Acts 17:15, 22-18:1

Paul was taken

As far as Athens by his escort, who then returned to Beroea

with instructions for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible.

 

Then Paul stood up in the Areopagus hall and said, "Athenian citizens, I note that,

in every way, you are very religious. As I walked around, looking at your shrines,

I even discovered an altar with this inscription: To an unknown God.

Now, what you worship as unknown, I intend to make known to you.

 

God, who made the world and all that is in it, does not dwell in sanctuaries made by human hands,

being as he is Lord of heaven and earth. Nor does his worship depend on anything made by human hands,

as if he were in need. Rather, it is he who gives life and breath and everything else, to everyone.

From one stock he created the whole human race, to live throughout all the earth,

and he fixed the time and the boundaries of each nation. He wanted them to seek him by themselves,

even if it was only by groping for him that they succeed in finding him.

 

Yet, he is not far from any one of us. For, in him we live and move and have our being;

as some of your poets have said: for we, too, are his offspring.

If we are indeed God's offspring, we ought not to think of divinity as something like

a statue of gold or silver or stone, a product of human art and imagination.

But now, God prefers to overlook this time of ignorance; and he calls on all people to change their ways.

He has already set a day, on which he will judge the world with justice through a man he has appointed.

 

And, so that all may believe it, he has just given a sign, by raising this man from the dead."

When they heard Paul speak of a resurrection from death, some made fun of him,

while others said, "We must hear you on this topic some other time."

At that point Paul left. But a few did join him, and believed. Among them were Dionysius,

a member of the Areopagus court, a woman named Damaris, and some others.

After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

 

Ps 148:1-2, 11-12, 13, 14

 Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

John 16:12-15

I still have many things to tell you, but you cannot bear them now. When he, the Spirit of truth comes,

he will guide you into the whole truth. For he will not speak of his own authority, but will speak what he hears,

and he will tell you about the things which are to come. He will take what is mine and make it known to you;

in doing this, he will glorify me. All that the Father has is mine; for this reason,

I told you that the Spirit will take what is mine, and make it known to you.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

Jesus gives us the Spirit of Truth.

Bishop Robert Barron said, "Sometimes, we cling so tightly to what we think is true that when the truth,

which we deeply desire, knocks upon our door, we refuse to open." This is very true for many of us.

We tend to hold onto what we want to believe is true. We cling strongly to our perceived truths,

leaving no open doors for other perspectives. However, this tendency of ours does not disappoint God.

 

The Gospel reading reassures us. Jesus gives us the Spirit of Truth.

We need this guidance to lead us to the truth. Like the disciples in the Gospel reading,

we will take time to understand what is happening around us and how our faith addresses issues like fake news.

Let us ask the Holy Spirit today to lead us to a proper understanding and guide us to the truth that will set us free.