The Spirit of Truth

Gospel: John 14: 15-21

What is this Spirit of Truth that the world cannot accept? Many candidates have been brought forward for consideration.  No doubt a basic sense of truth opposed to lies is part of it, for the world maintains power largely through lies and violence.  Any institution that traffics in lies to maintain itself is part of the world and thus not open to the Spirit.  But a deeper sense of truth is at work here as well, the truth of the Gospel.

The Gospel - the Good News of Jesus - is the fundamental truth that God's mercy is offered and extended to all through repentance, and that we are to extend mercy to others in our lives through concrete actions of love and mercy.  The world cannot accept either of these points.  The world justifies all its actions apologizes for nothing, and seeks to coerce others into accepting its lies and violence.  In addition, the world offers no mercy to anyone, as it seeks to control others through merciless actions.  

Though we will find no forgiveness and mercy in the world, we will find it in God through the promise and life of Jesus.  Though the world be not merciful, we will still extend mercy to others as our pledge of fidelity to the Spirit of Truth who animates our life and sustains us in God's love.