work of the Holy Spirit
At the Last Supper, shortly before his death, Jesus spoke to the apostles—words full of hope. They also concern our shared future: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. But whoever does not love me will not keep my words. The word you hear is not my own, but the Father’s who sent me. These are the words I have spoken to you while I was still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (Joh 14,23-26).
Jesus speaks here of a deep connection between him and the Father. He knows what is coming: betrayal, condemnation, suffering, and death on the cross. But he also knows that the Father will raise him up and he will live again. Jesus promises: The Father will send us in his name the Comforter, Helper, and Advocate, the Holy Spirit.
To better understand this, we proceed in three steps. First, we consider the apostles of Jesus, his disciples, and the Israelite people. Then we encounter the apostles with the risen Jesus. Finally, we turn our attention to the work of the Holy Spirit.
The apostles and some of the people saw, heard, and experienced Jesus. They marveled at him and his miracles. But they didn't understand him spiritually. Their faith was childlike, shaped by sight, without deeper understanding.
Jesus truly rose from the dead. When he came to his disciples a second time through locked doors, the apostle Thomas was also present. Because Thomas doubted Jesus' resurrection, Jesus invited him to place his fingers and hand in his wounds—and to believe. Thomas confessed, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus replied, "Because you have seen me, Thomas, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (Joh 20,28-29).
His disciples were the first witnesses of the resurrection. A little later, Jesus said to them, "A spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have." They could hardly believe it for joy. He asked, "Do you have anything to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it. As witnesses of the resurrection, they now believed and received a deeper understanding.
At Pentecost, Jesus' promise was fulfilled. The Holy Spirit came at the Father's command and fulfilled it. The hearts of the people were moved by Peter's preaching—and they believed. Guided by faith, they grew in knowledge. They did not hesitate to follow the apostles' call. Led by the Holy Spirit, they experienced communion in the triune God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!
by Toni Püntener
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