A Reflection for Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Find today’s readings here.
The disciples said to Jesus,
“Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech.
Now we realize that you know everything
and that you do not need to have anyone question you.
Because of this we believe that you came from God.”
Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now?”
Enough with the parables and metaphors, the artistry and imagery, the disciples seem to be telling Jesus in today’s Gospel reading from John. “Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech,” they say. They sound relieved.
The writer in me feels a little stung for John, the author with the “In the beginning was the Word” poetic bent to his work. But the practical-minded disciples want Jesus to talk turkey. “Do you believe now?” Jesus asks them. They do. They understand at last that Jesus has truly come from God.
At this point in the story, Jesus is having his last (long) conversation with his disciples before his arrest, so talking plainly is clearly a priority. Jesus has assured them that the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, will fortify and protect them when they are sent forth into the world to proclaim the Gospel. Jesus will leave them, but they will not be alone.
The breath of the Holy Spirit moves throughout the readings today, from Paul’s encounter with some disciples who say that they “have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit,” to Psalm 68’s promise that God will provide “a home to the forsaken.” When Paul lays his hands upon the willing believers, they receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
In keeping with the psalm, the disciples of Jesus learn that although there will be suffering ahead, although they will be scattered, they will never be forsaken. God’s love will endure. “In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world,” Jesus tells them. The disciples can hardly imagine what trouble lies ahead for them, what difficulties will confront them when they themselves begin to talk plainly.
Millenia later, we too have our troubles. We too know what it’s like to be scattered. We
too must take courage if we are to devote ourselves to spreading the Gospel message and to conquering the world of indifference, disunity and hate. We have definitely heard that there is a Holy Spirit, so we too can rejoice and be glad that the Holy Spirit has come upon us through the rites of our baptism and confirmation. We can trust that the Holy Spirit dwelling within us will talk plainly, if softly, to us. We just have to be ready for some plain talk.
Then we just have to listen.
