Jn.14:23-29
“Growth and development take time. Learning takes practise. Discipleship is a journey. And true conversion a continuous process.” (Brad Wilcox) In today’s gospel we mediate the farewell message of Jesus to his disciples. He reveals his mind concerning the witness that they are called to live after his departure. First and foremost, Jesus demands staunch fidelity from his followers. They should love Jesus wholeheartedly and obey his words. The quality of a disciple’s love for Jesus and passion for his words determines the quality of his/her witness. No one can come to the Father except through Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He who shows us the Father, leads us to the Father and gives us the fulness of life, which is the fulness of communion with the Father. Once we enter into this intimate and personal relationship with Jesus, we will gradually partake in the communion of the Holy Trinity along with the Father and the Holy Spirit. The words that Jesus communicated to his disciples were not his own but belonged to the Father. Thus, both Jesus and his words ultimately lead us to the Father.
The second assurance that Jesus gives his disciples is that none of them will be left alone on this journey of following him. In his physical absence, the disciples will be guided and strengthened by the Holy Spirit, who indwells in everyone. This indwelling presence of the Spirit helps each one of us to enter into communion with the Holy Trinity, which we will experience in its fullness once we complete our earthly sojourn.
The presence of the Spirit enables every disciple to make known the story of Christ. Jesus tells his disciples that when the Spirit comes, you will be reminded of what I told you. When we are filled and empowered by the Spirit, we will be reminded of the redeeming love of Jesus that we experience in our day-to-day life in manifold ways. The presence of this indwelling Spirit gives us the inner peace that reminds us of the presence of the Holy Trinity. Whatever the circumstances of life, we are never alone. None of us can actually say that we feel lonely or helpless. It is true that we may not be able to experience these realities with our senses, but they are spiritually present with us and accompany us in our journey through life.
Finally, Jesus reminds them that his passion and death are not an end in themselves. It is only a means for him to enter into the presence of the Father. Instead of worrying about what would happen to Jesus, they should think about his closeness to the Father. It was a great privilege for the disciples that they would be constantly remembered in the presence of the Father and the Holy Spirit through Jesus.
As we contemplate this gospel passage today, let us analyse and see whether we are faithful to Jesus. Do we prioritise him in our lives and are zealous enough to obey his words? We need to face our loneliness in the company of the Holy Trinity in order to be blessed and accompanied by the unfailing presence of the Holy Trinity. May this awareness help us to live our discipleship with much zeal and fidelity to the Lord.