The Advocate
May 16, 2023
Dear Family of Mary!
Jesus said to his disciples: “Now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts. But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin, because they do not believe in me; righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.” (John 16:5-11)
Jesus spoke so kindly and yet bluntly to the disciples about His departure. He knew that they needed to be prepared for his brutal death. He was giving them a way to see beyond the Crucifixion to the future that His Death was providing for them.
It was not easy to explain.
He first told them that they were not listening to everything He was saying. “Now I am going to the one who sent me…” This should have been good news for them! But they just didn’t see it. All they could think about was that Jesus was leaving them. They were stuck in the present. They knew how much they depended on Jesus for everything. What would they do without Him?
So then Jesus told them: “But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” This incredible news was actually earth shaking!! If the disciples had known the power of the Holy Spirit, they would have rejoiced!!
Actually the Holy Spirit has changed the world. In every age since Jesus’ Death and Resurrection, the Holy Spirit has built and rebuilt the Church, filling the world with the Light of Christ, and saving millions of souls through the life-giving proclamation of the Good News that Jesus Christ is Lord! The Holy Spirit changes everything when He comes. That is what Jesus was trying to get across to the disciples. But until you experience the Holy Spirit, you just don’t get it!!
Our Lady has very often called us to seek the coming of the Holy Spirit. She knows the Holy Spirit better than any other human being. She knows He incredible love and strength and healing power. Here is one message:
May 25, 1998 “Dear children! Today I call you, through prayer and sacrifice, to prepare yourselves for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Little children, this is a time of grace and so, again, I call you to decide for God the Creator. Allow Him to transform and change you. May your heart be prepared to listen to, and live, everything which the Holy Spirit has in His plan for each of you. Little children, allow the Holy Spirit to lead you on the way of truth and salvation towards eternal life. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
This message could have been spoken to the disciples in the Upper Room. Our Lady prepared them for the coming of the Holy Spirit, and she can prepare us! Let’s listen to her words and do them!
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
Mary TV
