Breaking the Word

"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. "I have told you this so that you may not fall away. 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. They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me. I have told you this so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you. "I did not tell you this from the beginning, because I was with you.  (Jn 15:26-16:4a)

Persecution has been part of the history of Israel. The first one was in Egypt. God redeemed them from Pharaoh. Then by Assyrians and then by Babylonians they were tortured and carried away as exiles. These persecutions were followed by that of the Greeks and then by Romans. So the history has been a chain of persecutions and redemptions. Prophets and other leaders were there to guide them along the way of God.

Christianity faces the same events. The early Church continuously faced persecutions.  Faith in Jesus Christ kept the people together. For Christians the persecutions are also from the religions (if you want to say the mother religion). Persecution was considered to be a worship offered to God. Paul was doing that before his conversion.

The promise that Jesus offers his disciples is the presence of the advocate.  The advocate will speak the truth and constantly be with them. The presence of the Father and that of Jesus are assured to them. Whatever be the persecution, the presence of God is the security and consolation.

Jesus answered and said to him, "Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me. "I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name– he will teach you everything and remind you of all that (I) told you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, 'I am going away and I will come back to you.' If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe.  (Jn14:23-29)

God dwells in persons (interesting!). The right place for God’s dwelling is a person who loves Jesus and keeps his words. This person is loved by God. Love and the word of God seem to be the requisites for the dwelling place of God. No other demands and requirements are needed to prepare the dwelling place of God.  It is easy to find the place of God and the presence of God.

Holy Spirit is sent by God in the name of Jesus. He is sent by God like Jesus who was also sent by God. Jesus was sent into the world to redeem the world and give eternal life to the world (Jn 3:16). Holy Spirit is sent into the world to teach everything and remind the people of what Jesus has said. So the work of the Holy Spirit is to continue the work of Jesus.

The peace of Jesus comes to the disciples as a gift. The world can never give this peace. This peace will assure them of his presence and support, giving them the knowledge that Jesus is one with the Father. Because he is going back to the Father from whom he came into this world. His mission is complete and the result of completing his mission is the gift of the Holy Spirit and peace.