The Spirit of Truth

Sometimes you can hear a speech or a lecture that is full of many things worth remembering, but too many to remember or even to write down.

It was something like that for the Apostles in the short time that our Lord was with them on this earth.

But, blessed be His holy Name, in today's Gospel (John 16:12-15), we are reminded in a loving and beautiful way that our Lord understands, offers comfort, and much, much more:

I have much more to tell you,
but you cannot bear it now.

But when he comes, the Spirit of truth,
he will guide you to all truth.

He will not speak on his own,
but he will speak what he hears,
and will declare to you
the things that are coming.

He will glorify me,
because he will take from what is mine
and declare it to you.

These words speak to the unity and perfection of Christ’s revelation, as he walked on this earth and as the Spirit has guided the Church through the millennia.

These words also speak directly to us.

We may not be able to remember instantly all that has been taught to us of Christ and truth in our faithful education and reading, but our Lord offers us the gist of the Holy Spirit: to remind us of all that comes from Christ and lead us into all truth.

Come, Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of Thy faithful
and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.

V. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray:
O GOD,
Who didst instruct the hearts of the faithful
by the light of the Holy Spirit,
grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise,
and ever rejoice in His consolation.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Veni, Sancte Spiritus
reple tuorum corda fidelium,
et tui amoris in eis accende.

V. Emitte Spiritum tuum et creabuntur.
R. Et renovabis faciem terrae.

Oremus

Deus,
qui corda fidelium
Sancti Spiritus illustratione docuisti.
Da nobis in eodem Spiritu recta sapere,
et de eius semper consolatione gaudere.
Per Christum Dominum nostrum.
Amen.