Sunday Gospel Reflection
Sixth Week of Easter
John 14:15 – 21 | May 14, 2023
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
Josie Gonzales
“If you love me, you will obey my commandments. I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, who will stay with you forever. He is the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God. When I go, you will not be left alone; I will come back to you.” (John 14:15-18)
The Gospel today is about love––the love of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
I love to read my favorite book on scriptural meditations, “Good Morning, Lord…can we talk?” by Charles R. Swindoll, for my daily devotions.
Last Friday, the reading started with “What are you telling yourself?”
Did I wake up on the wrong side of the bed…with negative thoughts this early…feeling plain lazy or sad or angry…
Then, as I read on, this was what struck me: “The faithful love of the Lord never ends…the Lord is my inheritance.”
Indeed, what a super power message to start the day!
God’s love never ends. Jesus’ love means obeying the Father…his love means sending the Holy Spirit to finish His work amongst us before ascending into heaven…his love means forgiving Peter who denied him…and forgiving Judas who betrayed him.
Today’s Gospel starts with, “If you love me, you will obey my commandments.” And, the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, the Comforter, and our Sanctifier was sent and dwells in us to prepare us for everlasting life in God’s Kingdom.
Let us pray to the Holy Spirit to guide us 24/7, to make us alive with His Spirit in anything and everything we do. Let the Holy Spirit reside in our hearts, our minds, our souls because life is short.
Let’s reflect on this.
Mahal tayo ng Diyos magpakailanman. Kaya’t nararapat paramdam din natin sa Diyos na mahal natin siya. Papaano? Kapag nagsisimba ba tayo ng Araw ng Linggo, day of obligation, pagpapakita na ba ng pagmamahal sa Diyos iyon?
Maaari. Pero pwede ring hindi kung habang nagmimisa ay nagse-cellphone, natutulog o nakikipagkwentuhan lang tayo. Pagmamahal sa Diyos kung habang papunta sa Simbahan ay binigyan natin ng pagkain at inumin ang isang gutom. Pagmamahal sa Diyos ang pagbigay ng damit sa homeless. Pagmamahal sa Diyos ang pagdalaw sa may sakit at pagbisita sa nakakulong.
Loving God means being thankful for the gift of life, for sharing what we have with people who have far less, for giving comfort to the grieving and the aggrieved.
Loving God is living a prayerful life. Making the sign of the cross is a prayer. Offering to the Lord our pain and weariness while washing the dishes and mopping the floor is also praying.
There are endless ways of thanking, praising, and adoring our God. Let’s get into the habit because we cannot fathom the rewards but they are there for the picking…so, what are we going to do?
Pagnilayan natin ito.
I wake up by the crowing of a neighbor’s rooster by 4 am, but I love to linger in bed till about 5 am. Then my day starts by opening the windows, turning off the lights, and disposing of the garbage.
My daily spiritual menu then begins by saying “hello” to Mama Mary and praying a framed “family prayer” that I placed beside Mama Mary’s image. To create a spiritual atmosphere throughout the day, the Holy Rosary continues playing on TV via Youtube from the night before. I listen, I reflect, and pray the rosary (the mysteries for the day), attend 2 online masses, read my devotional, and do my morning prayers.
Everyday I watch and listen to Fr. Dave Concepcion’s homilies, talks, and recollections that have made me more aware of the Lord’s presence and its impact on my life.
Have I become a better person? Am I now spared of the negatives brought about by people, places, and things? Am I more patient, compassionate and understanding toward my neighbors? My family?
Is my life a roller coaster ride? Not anymore. The challenges are there and will always be there. The big BUT is, I have learned to let go, to trust the Lord, and to surrender to Him who promises eternal salvation. It is not easy. But we just have to persevere and believe in the Almighty.
Padre Pio says, “pray, hope, and don’t worry”. Let’s pray, hope and not worry!
A blessed Sunday!
