Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional and Bible Study – Pentecost – Cycle B – 2nd Option – John 15:26-27; 16:12-15

The Gospel reading from the Mass for Pentecost Cycle B/Option 2 is John 15:26-27; 16:12-15.

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,  revealing He is sending the Holy Spirit to guide and help men, indicting the Jewish leadership for their hatred and persecution, Christ again turns to the great blessings of the coming of the Holy Spirit. 

Christ promises to send the Holy Spirit, whom He again (John 14:16-17) calls the “Counselor” (Paraclete, meaning “He who is called to one’s side”) and the “Spirit of Truth”; the Holy Spirit will make Christ, who is Truth itself (John 14:6), present to men. Sent from the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit will bear witness to Christ in the hearts of men who love and keep His commandments. Christ challenges the Apostles to also bear witness (to testify) for Him in the world, just as the Holy Spirit does.

Christ knows the Apostles can not absorb (“can not bear”) everything He could explain to them; they are anxious, can not conceive of Christ’s Passion and have not received the Holy Spirit. Rather than rebuke them, Christ encourages them by again promising He will send the Holy Spirit. The Spirit will guide the Apostles to truth, helping Christ’s Gospel penetrate and reside in their souls and fortifying them against the evil lies of Satan (John 8:44). Christ reveals the Holy Spirit does not speak on His own authority, but speaks what He is told by the Father and the Son; in speaking the words of the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit glorifies them. Christ has been given the Gospel by the Father and the Holy Spirit will proclaim Christ’s Gospel without error to the Apostles and men in the future. 

Awed by Jesus Christ – Person of the Trinity, Christ has Divine Power to remain present in the world by the sending of the third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. Divine King, Christ prepares His men to bear witness to Him and to strengthen them in the coming persecutions; He knows the limits of His men and supernaturally prepares them through the Holy Spirit. Divine Prophet, Christ predicts that He will send the Holy Spirit to enlighten and protect the Church at Pentecost. 

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) Christ, the greatest leader of men in history, anticipates the challenges of evangelists and strengthens men to withstand persecution by sending the Holy Spirit. Be awed.  

2) To “testify” (related root words include “testes”, “to witness to truth” and “martyr”) for Christ in the increasingly intolerant and sin-loving world is a heroically manly act. At Pentecost, reconfirm your commitment to be a fearless witness for Christ (CCC 2087, 2471-2474) and pray for Christ to strengthen you to bear witness to Him. 

3) To withstand the attacks on His men who testify to the Truth, Christ promised to send the Holy Spirit.  At Pentecost, recommit to pray for the Holy Spirit (CCC 2670-2672) and ask Christ to send the Holy Spirit to strengthen you in the face of rejection and persecution.