Hearing The Word

A weekly newsletter delivering context and insight into the Sunday Gospels.

The Spirit of Peace

~ Deacon Joseph Boyle

Saint Mary Magdalen Catholic Church + Media, Pa.

Throughout John’s Gospel, we witness the Son pointing to the Father. While equal in divinity, Jesus is obedient in his humanity as a son is to a father. Exemplified in his “keeping of the word” is the Son’s obedience to the will of the Father.

In this week’s Gospel, we see our Lord preparing his disciples for his eventual departure from earthly life. He tells his disciples, “Do not be afraid.” Jesus promises the Spirit as his departing gift to his followers, a promise that brings hope and reassurance, a comforting thought in times of uncertainty. It is the promise of the Spirit of peace. The Spirit promised to continue His teaching mission through his followers.

The Holy Spirit is the love shared by the Father and the Son. It is a promise for those who actively 'keep my word' and those who love Him, that 'we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.' This promise underscores the active role of believers in their spiritual journey, empowering them with responsibility and the importance of their obedience and love.

The Spirit of peace is given outside of the parameters of the physical world and is not contingent upon it. It is a peace that transcends “not as the world gives, do I give to you.” Worldly care and influences have no power over the love of the Spirit to those who follow any more than it has control over the Son's love for the Father. This thought should uplift and give hope to the believers. 

At the end of the Gospel, we hear Jesus tell his disciples: “I am going away and I will come back to you.” The Son promises those who follow the Spirit that he will return for them, but that they should “rejoice” in his going back to the Father. Where there is true love and true peace, there is no separation.  

How I Find Courage In The Holy Spirit



~ Anonymous

My kids will tell you “Mom loves the Holy Spirit.” And I do.  He helps with my desire to make good decisions, to be certain of them, and to act confidently in a life full of complexity. I am at heart indecisive, unsure of myself, way too open to a variety of possibilities, and subject to second-guessing and ruminating on things.

When I remember to appeal to the Holy Spirit, all that changes.  Here is how the appeal goes – it’s a formula, really, that I share with those I love when they are confronted with confusion, anxiety, a fear-evoking situation etc., too:

Before (even sometimes in the middle of) a painful decision or scary meeting or dreaded conversation or whatever, I ask the Holy Spirit to be with me in the situation, and to guide me to decide or say or do whatever it is that the best part of me wants to do – essentially what I believe God wants me to do.  Then I trust that that will happen, and that I will have the courage to do my part well.

Then I go forward confident that the guidance has been given and that my participation or actions reflect what God wants of me in that situation, regardless of outcome.  I trust that He will use that for His purposes, whatever they are. It helps me avoid ruminating over things done or not done, said or not said.  God knows I want to be a good person in this world.  The Holy Spirit is His way of helping me do that, day in and day out.

The rub, of course, is that I can forget to do this and am left tangled up in doubt or worry or regret. So I appreciate this gospel, reminding me of this great gift.