Gospel
‘The Spirit of truth will bear witness about me.’
John 15:26–16:4a
John 15:26–16:4a
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.
‘I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.’
‘I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.’
The Gospel of the Lord
Sustained by the Holy Spirit
Jesus does not promise His disciples an easy life; on the contrary, He warns them of misunderstanding, rejection, and even persecution. Married life is much the same: to love truly, to remain faithful to one’s commitment over time, to be open to life, or to live according to Christian values will not always be understood by those around us. At times, there will be pressure, criticism, or loneliness. But this does not mean the path is wrong—it means it is rooted in a deeper truth.
Here, a key figure appears: the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit. This Spirit is that quiet yet real presence who helps spouses remember who they are, why they chose one another, and what promise they made. As husbands and wives, we must be aware that we are sustained by the Holy Spirit, and that by turning to Him, He helps us to live patience in conflict, forgiveness when it hurts, faithfulness in small things, and the ability to begin again.
In this way, spouses become witnesses—not only to one another, but also to the world—not of a perfect love, but of a love that is upheld by grace.
Jesus also says: “I have told you these things so that you may not fall away.” In marriage, this becomes very practical: not being scandalised by difficulties, differences, or the wounds that inevitably arise. Not idealising love to the point of abandoning it when it ceases to be easy, but remembering always that true love is tested and purified through trials.
Here, a key figure appears: the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit. This Spirit is that quiet yet real presence who helps spouses remember who they are, why they chose one another, and what promise they made. As husbands and wives, we must be aware that we are sustained by the Holy Spirit, and that by turning to Him, He helps us to live patience in conflict, forgiveness when it hurts, faithfulness in small things, and the ability to begin again.
In this way, spouses become witnesses—not only to one another, but also to the world—not of a perfect love, but of a love that is upheld by grace.
Jesus also says: “I have told you these things so that you may not fall away.” In marriage, this becomes very practical: not being scandalised by difficulties, differences, or the wounds that inevitably arise. Not idealising love to the point of abandoning it when it ceases to be easy, but remembering always that true love is tested and purified through trials.
Applied to Married Life
Phoebe: You know, Alfred… this Gospel isn’t exactly romantic, is it? It talks about rejection and hardship…
Alfred: No… but when you think about it, it sounds rather like real life. Not everyone understands our choices—or our marriage.
Phoebe: That’s true. Sometimes living against the tide can be exhausting. But I liked what it says about the Spirit… like a help you can’t see, but know is there.
Alfred: Yes—like when we argue, and instead of adding fuel to the fire… something stops us.
Phoebe: (smiling) Something? I think that “something” has a name… because you don’t exactly stop yourself very often.
Alfred: Alright, alright… and you’re hardly a saint in an argument either.
Phoebe: Touché. But it’s true—that “something” reminds us why we’re together.
Alfred: And helps us not to be scandalised—neither by each other, nor by ourselves when we fail.
Phoebe: That’s the key. Because if we expected perfection… we’d have signed divorce papers long ago.
Alfred: (laughs) Well—not me. Remember, you were the one threatening to leave. I wasn’t going to stop you… provided you let me move in with you and your new partner.
(laughs) Thankfully, though, you always remember what we promised one another.
Phoebe: And that love also means enduring, forgiving… and beginning again.
Alfred: Exactly. What matters is surviving an argument… and still loving one another afterwards—or even loving each other more.
Phoebe: Now that’s expert level. Or Holy Spirit level.
Alfred: Then we must be doing alright… because without help from above, we wouldn’t last two minutes.
Phoebe: Two minutes? You’re feeling optimistic today…
Alfred: No… but when you think about it, it sounds rather like real life. Not everyone understands our choices—or our marriage.
Phoebe: That’s true. Sometimes living against the tide can be exhausting. But I liked what it says about the Spirit… like a help you can’t see, but know is there.
Alfred: Yes—like when we argue, and instead of adding fuel to the fire… something stops us.
Phoebe: (smiling) Something? I think that “something” has a name… because you don’t exactly stop yourself very often.
Alfred: Alright, alright… and you’re hardly a saint in an argument either.
Phoebe: Touché. But it’s true—that “something” reminds us why we’re together.
Alfred: And helps us not to be scandalised—neither by each other, nor by ourselves when we fail.
Phoebe: That’s the key. Because if we expected perfection… we’d have signed divorce papers long ago.
Alfred: (laughs) Well—not me. Remember, you were the one threatening to leave. I wasn’t going to stop you… provided you let me move in with you and your new partner.
(laughs) Thankfully, though, you always remember what we promised one another.
Phoebe: And that love also means enduring, forgiving… and beginning again.
Alfred: Exactly. What matters is surviving an argument… and still loving one another afterwards—or even loving each other more.
Phoebe: Now that’s expert level. Or Holy Spirit level.
Alfred: Then we must be doing alright… because without help from above, we wouldn’t last two minutes.
Phoebe: Two minutes? You’re feeling optimistic today…
Mother,
teach us to live our love with faithfulness and truth, even when difficulties and misunderstanding come. Blessed are you forever, Mother.