Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional and Bible Study – Sixth Week of Easter – Sunday – Cycle A – John 14:15-21

The daily Gospel reading from the Mass for Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter is John 14:15-21.

Christ continues His Farewell Discourse (John 13:31-16:33) in Jerusalem during Holy Week, preparing the Apostles for their mission after His departure. After revealing that He is the way, the truth and the life and that the Father and Son are one, Christ now reveals the coming of the Third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, who will dwell in men who love Christ.

Christ prepares the Apostles for the shock of His Passion by telling them ahead of time that in “a little while the world will see Me no more.” But Christ promises the Apostles they will see Him, for He lives within them and will “manifest” Himself to them. For men to be blessed to have Christ live within them, He reiterates again and again that those who love Him must keep His commandments (v. 14:15, 21, 23; 15:10).

For those who love Christ and keep His commandments, Christ will send the Holy Spirit so that men are not desolate after His departure. Calling the Holy Spirit the Counselor (Advocate, Paraclete or “he who is called to one’s side), Christ reveals the Holy Spirit brings guidance to men for He is “the Spirit of truth” (of Christ, for Christ is “the truth”) who will be by men’s sides to help keep Christ’s commandments. With the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit will actually dwell in the souls of men, remaining with them forever; in this, Christ reveals the truth of the indwelling Trinity. In an ominous warning, Christ reveals to the Apostles that many men (the world) will not receive the gift of the Holy Spirit for they do not know or accept Christ.

Awed by Jesus Christ – Son of God, Christ in unified with the Father and the Holy Spirit, with the power to send the Holy Spirit. Divine Prophet, Christ reveals the future coming of the Holy Spirit and the rejection by the world. Divine King, Christ directs and diligently prepares His Apostles for their mission to evangelize the world.

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) Be awed that Christ foresees His return to the Father and puts in place the plan to dwell in the souls of believers through the Holy Spirit.

2) Though Christ has promised to send the Holy Spirit, for many men the Holy Spirit is elusive.  During Easter, build your understanding of the Holy Spirit (CCC 683-747).

3) As Christ revealed, the “world” cannot receive life in Him; millions of men have turned from Christ to pursue the world, resulting in an epidemic of despair, depression and emptiness. During Easter, renew your understanding of the blessings of the Holy Spirit (CCC 736, 1830-1832) and pray for Christ to help you more fully accept the peace and joy of the Holy Spirit and to call all men to Christ.

Spiritual Practices – Include in Today’s Prayers

Sacred Mystery of Rosary – The Glorious Mysteries

Daily Devotion – The Blessed Trinity

Virtue of the Day – Charity

Corporal Work of Mercy – To feed the hungry

Spiritual Work of Mercy – To admonish the sinner