Most Holy Trinity - C

Commentary

John 16: 12-15

Everything that the Father Has is Mine, and Now Given to You

In the prologue, John sets a tone for his understanding of Jesus Christ.  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.” (1:1, 14)

Later on, as John recounts Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, we learned why the Father’s only Son came to made his dwelling among us.  It was because God so loved the world that He gave us his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” (3:16)

And eternal life is God’s life, the very life that God shares with humanity in the coming of God’s only Son among us, and through his death and resurrection.

Thus, in this passage, before Jesus offers himself as the ultimate gift of love, he tells the disciples, “Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that [the Spirit] will take from what is mine, and declare it to you.” (16:15)

This is the same truth of eternal life that Jesus came to reveal.  And it is not always easy for us to accept.  Thus, before his departure, Jesus prays that the Father gives to his disciples that truth.  "Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ." (17:3)

And that is the truth of eternal life to which the Spirit of truth guides us.