SAINTS NEREUS AND ACHILLEUS, MARTYRS (OPTIONAL MEMORIAL)

The Spirit of truth . . . will guide you to all truth. 

Today’s Gospel reading (John 16:12-15) comes from Jesus’ Last Supper discourse to his disciples. It seems that John wanted to capture as much of Jesus’ final words as he could—he devotes four whole chapters to them! But even after having shared so much with them, Jesus said that there was still more he wanted to tell the Twelve. “But you cannot bear it now,” he added (John 16:12). What did Jesus mean by that?

Just as a seasoned teacher doesn’t try to cram too much information into one lesson, Jesus didn’t want to overwhelm his disciples. They were already feeling confused. Peter wondered why Jesus wanted to wash his feet (John 13:6-10). Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father (14:8). Jude didn’t understand why Jesus was going to “reveal” himself to them but not to the world (14:22). And several disciples wondered where Jesus was going and when they would ever see him again (14:5; 16:17).

Don’t you wish Jesus had given more information? Or more to the point, don’t you wish he would have answered every question you ever had? But Jesus doesn’t work that way. Some of the answers came for the Twelve as they witnessed Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection. But things really began to make sense once they had received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost—just as Jesus had promised. Only as they learned to listen to the Spirit did his words come back to them and bolster their faith (John 2:22; 14:26).

The same holds true for us. In fact, not knowing everything has its advantages. It teaches us to turn to the Spirit for more wisdom and to lean on him when we feel weak and confused. God’s ways may not always make sense at first, but give it time and keep asking the Spirit to “guide you to all truth” (John 16:13). Be patient, and don’t get discouraged as you move through your faith journey. Remember that the Holy Spirit is at your side. He will reveal his wisdom to you a little bit at a time, allowing you to grow into holiness at just the right pace.

“Come, Holy Spirit, and help me to know your ways more and more each day.”

Acts 17:15, 22–18:1
Psalm 148:1-2, 11-14
John 16:12-15

WORD AMONG US