"When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning."
(John 15:26-27)
The Holy Spirit, Advocate so true,
A divine helper, for me and you.
Sent by Jesus, from the Father's side,
To guide and empower, to be our guide.
Following Jesus, a path not mild,
Yet, not alone, even when reviled.
Hardships and challenges may mark the way,
But with the Spirit's help, we won't stray.
Perseverance in faith, a beacon bright,
In trials and tribulations, our guiding light.
Our personal testimony, a powerful song,
Sharing the Gospel, to whom we belong.
Trust in God's plan, in His control,
In all circumstances, He makes us whole.
Living out faith, in our daily lives,
In God's sovereignty, our spirit thrives.
Dear Lord Jesus,
We acknowledge the Holy Spirit, our Advocate, our guide, a divine helper You've sent from the Father's side. To guide and empower us on this faith journey we tread, with You, our Savior, we have nothing to dread.
Following You may involve challenges, trials untold, but with the Holy Spirit, we are bold. For these trials are not faced alone, with Your help, the seeds of faith are sown.
We persevere in faith, in tribulations and trials, our personal testimony, across the miles. Sharing the Gospel, our experiences, our song, in our faith journey, we are strong.
We trust in God’s plan, in His sovereign rule, in all circumstances, He is our tool. Living out our faith actively, day by day, in God’s sovereignty, we find our way.
In Your holy name, we pray,
Amen.
Pericope
III: The Book of Glory
THE WORLD'S HATRED
John 15:18-27 / 1-4
Gospel Acclamation
The Spirit of truth will testify to me, says the Lord, and you also will testify.
Gospel | John 15:26–16:4
26 Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. 27 And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning. 16:1 “I have told you this so that you may not fall away. 2 They will expel you from the synagogues; in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God. 3 They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me. 4 I have told you this so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you.”
Reflection:
Our perseverance in faith even in the face of trials and tribulations and personal testimony of experiences in our faith journey places a great impact in sharing the Gospel. Following Jesus may involve hardships and challenges but Jesus us that these trials are not to be faced alone but with the help of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit, the Advocate, or the Spirit of truth, is a divine helper sent by Jesus from the Father to guide and empower our faith journey. Let us trust in God’s plan and His control over all circumstances, living out our faith actively in our daily lives, and trusting in God’s sovereignty.
Background:
The passage John 15:26–16:4 is part of Jesus’ farewell discourse to His disciples, preparing them for His departure and life after His ascension.
In John 15:26-27, Jesus introduces the concept of the Advocate, or the Holy Spirit, whom He will send from the Father. The Spirit of truth, as Jesus calls it, will testify on His behalf, and the disciples, too, are expected to testify because they have been with Jesus from the beginning.
John 16:1-4 continues this discourse, where Jesus warns His disciples about the persecutions they will face. He tells them that they will be banished from their places of worship, and there will be those who will even kill them thinking they are offering a service to God. Jesus explains that He is telling them this so that they will not fall away when these things happen.
This passage emphasizes the disciples’ relationship with Jesus and the world after His departure. It also highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the disciples and the challenges they will face for following Jesus. The disciples are prepared for spiritual conflict and are encouraged to remain in faith. The passage is a profound reminder of the cost of discipleship and the promise of divine assistance through the Holy Spirit.
Learning Lessons:
The passage John 15:26–16:4 offers several important lessons:
The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit, also referred to as the Advocate or the Spirit of truth, is a divine helper sent by Jesus from the Father. The Holy Spirit testifies about Jesus and empowers believers to do the same. This teaches us about the importance of the Holy Spirit in guiding and empowering our faith journey.
The Importance of Testimony: Jesus emphasizes that His disciples are to testify about Him because they have been with Him from the beginning. This underscores the importance of personal testimony in sharing the Gospel and the impact of personal experiences in our faith journey.
Preparation for Persecution: Jesus warns His disciples about the coming persecutions. This serves as a reminder that following Jesus may involve hardships and challenges. However, Jesus assures them that these trials are not to be faced alone but with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Faith Amidst Trials: Jesus tells His disciples these things so that they will not fall away. This teaches us the importance of perseverance in faith, even in the face of trials and tribulations.
God’s Sovereignty: Despite the challenges and persecutions, God’s sovereignty is affirmed. This encourages believers to trust in God’s plan and His control over all circumstances.
These lessons remind us of the active nature of faith, the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives, the importance of personal testimony, and the reality of persecution. They also encourage us to live out our faith actively in our daily lives, trusting in God’s sovereignty.
Reflection Source:
Conversation with Copilot
