In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus promises the Spirit as a guide to truth. He tells disciples: “The Spirit of Truth will guide you to all truth.” The Spirit of Truth can be distinguished from the Law. Law can consist of doctrine or dogma meaning a set of rules or beliefs held as incontestable. Incontestable as set by and for who though? Law is set by and for rulers. Rulers are usually wealthy men who through law influence society, perhaps even oppress society. The Spirit of Truth guiding us to all truth is a very different relationship model.
The Spirit and Truth are relational. They live within us and between us. Truth, in particular, is a reassuring yet bold companion; it gets to the point and is explicit, direct. Truth is a great yet simple thing and canot be reduced to a “He said,” She said” proposition. Truth has a life of its own. It lives and breathes as surely as you and I. It resonates deep within the soul and finds a home there because it belongs. We know the truth; we are conscientious. We are friends and family together and no verbal gamesmanship can put us asunder. Because our soul and truth are so deeply related we can be open and vulnerable with each another – we can live in each other’s Presence. It is that relational Presence that changes us, guides us, moves us. We are moved by the Spirit of Truth in a way that is different than any movement prompted by the Law and its externals of doctrine, dogma, busyness. We live on a deeper level of communion with each other. Tara Brach, a practitioner of Buddhism, enjoys that shared communion via a simple ritual. She proposes that we develop the habit of a sacred pause. She encourages people toward a “periodic suspension of activity.” We might pause while in nature to more deeply breathe in her beauty or, we might pause from a daily life that is out of touch with nature so as to take in at least a little breath of her. It might be that we pause in the midst of conversation, especially when preparing to respond to another person, certainly if we are feeling agitated. In that sacred pause we are opening ourselves to guidance by the Spirit of Truth.
“Truth is rather tall and unconventional looking. …He chronicled the contemporary scene for a while but left after his reviews started to be quoted out of context. Though he never hides what he feels, by nature he is gentle and not at all sarcastic. …He has observed that people who only listen with one ear when he says something in a kind way are always impressed with his anger. …He can climb over any security fences we have constructed to keep out disturbing influences. … He lingers in the long pauses between the questions and the answers. … Certainty and Uncertainty are both welcome at his table. Truth is willing to wait for a long time with little attention or visible encouragement. Truth is not willing to live without love.” (The Book of Qualities – J. Ruth Gendler)
Prayer: Spirit of Truth, we live in communion with you.
Question: In what ways is the Spirit of Truth guiding me these days?
May 22, 2016 Gospel John 16:12-15 Feast of the Holy Trinity