“The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy. For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit. The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.”
After reading today’s Gospel passage several times, I see John describing the relationship of the Holy Trinity. The one who comes from above is Jesus and is above all in the person of God. The one whom God sent, Jesus, speaks the words of God through the Holy Spirit and “does not ration his gift of the Spirit.”
God, help me understand relationship of the Trinity in light of the Holy Spirit as love between the Father and the Son. The last words of the Gospel are harsh, dealing with disobedience of the son and the consequences of that being the wrath of God. Yikes! Yet, I also have to consider Peter’s experience in the first reading of being brought before the Sanhedrin and accused of wanting to bring blood upon them. They acted out of fear, desolation, and vengeance. Peter’s reply, which is echoed in the Gospel: “We must obey God rather than men.”
I’m tired and distracted. Before I try to accomplish today what I know will only be a fraction of what I hope to do, let me rest my head on Jesus’ chest. In that rest, let me see what the Holy Spirit witnessed during Jesus’ life on earth and also what the Holy Spirit witnesses today as Jesus continues to live in those who believe in him and in the sacraments, where his presence remains.
Peter says in the first reading, “We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” To think that, like the disciples, the Holy Spirit witnessed the death and resurrection of Jesus, “who does not ration his gift of the Spirit,” I have to pause to consider that today and every day, I can call on the Holy Spirit, witness of the life of Christ, to know and obey that same love between the Father and the Son.