Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional and Bible Study – Sixth Week of Easter – Tuesday – John 16:5-11

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 confirming the coming prosecution to those who proclaim His Gospel and revealing He is sending the Holy Spirit, Christ further explains His departure and the impact and blessings of the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Despite being with God for over three years, His Apostles are acting unmanly, uncertain and emotional. Christ gently rebukes the Apostle’s anxiety and sorrow about His departure and the coming persecutions. But Christ also comforts them by explaining the blessings of His departure: when Christ departs, He will send the Holy Spirit to dwell with men and fortify them with His truth so they can fearlessly proclaim Christ and withstand the certain persecutions by those who rebel against the Father and Son.

In addition to the comfort of the Holy Spirit, Christ reveals the powerful impact the Holy Spirit will have as part of God’s glorious plan of Salvation. Christ explains the Holy Spirit will convince the world of sin; the coming of the Holy Spirit will confirm Christ’s proclamations about sin through the Catholic Church.  The Holy Spirit will also cause the widespread understanding of Christ’s Resurrection and Ascension to the Father. The Holy Spirit will act to judge the world (Satan and those who hate Christ).

Awed by Jesus Christ – Son of God, Christ has the Perfect Knowledge to know what is best for men.  Divine King, Christ understands, rebukes and strengthens His men for the coming persecutions and lays the groundwork for the Holy Catholic Church. Divine Prophet, Christ patiently and clearly explains some of the mysterious actions of the Holy Spirit in the world. Divine Judge, Christ confirms that He will judge the world in the Holy Spirit.

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) Marvel at how Christ, through His purposeful experience as the Son of Man, has deep understanding and compassion for the anxieties and sorrows of the Apostles and how He acts to comfort and strengthen them.

2) In a world where more and more sins are considered “no big deal” and perversions are pridefully celebrated, the Holy Spirit protects those close to Christ of being lulled into sin. During Easter, grow in your commitment to resist the temptations of the Fallen World (CCC 385-421) and pray for Christ to send the Holy Spirit to protect and guide you to charity.

3) Each man is a heartbeat away from death and his Judgment. During Easter, grow in Interior Penance (CCC 1430-1433) and pray for the Holy Spirit to continually convince you about the need to battle sin and to regularly go to Confession (at least monthly).

Spiritual Practices – Include in Today’s Prayers

Sacred Mystery of Rosary – The Sorrowful Mysteries

Daily Devotion – The Guardian Angels

Virtue of the Day – Justice

Corporal Work of Mercy – To clothe the naked

Spiritual Work of Mercy – To counsel the doubtful