At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, “Where are you going?” But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgement: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgement, because the ruler of this world is judged.’

Jesus does not leave us alone, but comes to dwell within us in a deeper way, drawing our attention to the person of the Paraclete—the Holy Spirit.
This leads us to reflect: What would we do without the Holy Spirit? What would become of our married love without Him? The love of the Father for the Son, and of the Son for the Father, is the Holy Spirit—and He has been given to us so that we may grow into that fullness of love, becoming like the Most Holy Trinity. This is the greatest gift the Lord could possibly have bestowed upon us.
That perfect communion to which we are called—that spiritual union between husband and wife—can only be reached through the Paraclete. Physical union, however deep and beautiful, joins only our bodies. But through the Holy Spirit, we can attain complete union in marriage: through prayer, by laying bare our souls and truly revealing them to our spouse, building a shared intimacy rooted in God.

Applied to Married Life

Martha: Oh, Michael, how many thanks I give to the Lord for these years of marriage by your side.
Michael: Truly, the Lord has allowed us to have a beautiful family and to build our marriage on rock—a supernatural communion I could never have imagined.
Martha: Yes—through much sacrifice, and through so much prayer, both personal and together as husband and wife. It has taught us to know each other’s souls in ways we never thought possible.
Michael: Martha, I thank God that you are beside me each day. And I know that every day you choose to love me more—in every gesture, every glance, every act of self-giving, every smile you offer me…
Martha: How could I not love you more each day? You are the greatest gift the Lord has given me, and with every prayer we share, I fall even more deeply in love. Every day is another opportunity God gives me to love Him through loving you.
Michael: Let’s pray over today’s Gospel together, and ask the Holy Spirit to come upon us, so that He may continue pouring His love into our hearts.

Mother,

help us to know your Spouse, the Holy Spirit. Praised be the Lord!