Working with the Word

Focusing the Gospel

Key words and phrases: Spirit of truth, all truth, glorify me, Everything that the Father has, declare it to you

To the point: The Spirit guides us to all truth. Such a bold statement! That truth is the Holy Spirit, is the Life given by the Spirit. Everything the Father has is given us. An even bolder statement! What the Father gives us is divine Life. And it is for Jesus’ glory that his disciples are empowered by the Spirit to bear what belongs to Jesus and the Father: divine Life. Our triune God holds back nothing from us.

Connecting the Gospel …

... to the first reading: Since we have received everything that is of God, the Trinity’s divine life is within us (see Gospel). This life “poured . . . into our hearts” empowers us to be justified and even to “boast of our afflictions.”

... to experience: Our age has an inherent optimism about unraveling the mysteries of life, whether it be the origins of the universe or the genetic makeup of a person. If there’s a mystery, “we’ll solve it.” This solemnity presents the Trinity as a mystery not to be “solved” or “explained,” but as a Trinity of Persons who share their very Life with us.

**From Saint Louis University