Monday May 22
The fight for the truth is the dominant theme of today's Gospel. Jesus renews his promise to send the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, defender against the attacks of unbelievers, the persecutions, expulsions from the synagogues, the bloody martyrdoms in the history of mankind. Moreover, the Spirit sustains the Church, which continues to be a fearless witness of the Gospel.
Alternative
C.H. Spurgeon, wrote, “This age is peculiarly the dispensation of the Holy Spirit, in which Jesus cheers us by the indwelling and constant abiding of the Holy Ghost, who is evermore the Comforter of the Church. It is His office to console the hearts of God’s people. He convinces of sin; He illuminates and instructs; but still the main part of His work lies in making glad the hearts of the renewed, in confirming the weak, and lifting up all those that be bowed down. He does this by revealing Jesus to them.
The Holy Spirit consoles, but Christ is the consolation. If we may use the figure, the Holy Spirit is the Physician, but Jesus is the medicine. The Spirit heals the wound, but it is by applying the holy ointment of Christ’s name and grace. If the one be the Comforter, the other is the Comfort. Now, with such rich provision for his need, why should the Christian be sad and desponding? The Holy Spirit has graciously engaged to be thy Comforter: dost thou imagine, O thou weak and trembling believer, that He will be negligent of His sacred trust? Canst thou suppose that He has undertaken what He cannot or will not perform? If it be His especial work to strengthen thee, and to comfort thee, dost thou suppose He has forgotten His business, or that He will fail in the loving office which He sustains towards thee? Nay, think not so hardly of the tender and blessed Spirit whose name is ‘the Comforter.’ He delights to give the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Trust thou in Him, and He will surely comfort thee till the house of mourning is closed for ever, and the marriage feast has begun.”