Homily: 15 May 2023: John 15:26-16:4

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Please read the Scripture passage before the homily.

We can look at the Gospel of John in several ways.  We can read it as a biography, which is much different from Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  We can see it as a coronation procession tat Jesus enters into Easterminister Abbey for the definitive coronation.  We can see it as a play, in which Jesus is the chief star whom no one ever upstages, and who is always centerstage.  We can also look upon it as a courtroom trial with its frequent references to witnesses.  Let us look at it as on a trial scene.

Jesus had often disputed with the leaders about witnesses to corroborated his  truth.  John the Baptist was a witness.  The Sacred scriptures were a witness.  The work Jesus did and the words he spoke were witnesses.

Today’s passage mentions two other witnesses.  The Advocate, whom Jesus would send from the Father, will give testimony.  The sixth witness is you yourselves, which includes the disciples who had been with Jesus from the beginning and also those who have heard and accepted their testimony.  In other words, we are among this sixth class of witnesses.

In a sense, we are costars to Jesus the star.  We win awards for best supporting actor.  We rejoice in his victory.  We are mentioned in his biography.  We sit with him on the ancient chair and rock.  We are part of the championship team whether it be the Universe Series or the Supernatural Bowl, the national championship, or the Christ Cup!

Yes, we shall also have sufferings from those who do not recognize the voice of God or who do not see us doing the work of God.  Yet, despite this, we are with Christ, we are united to Christ, and we are victorious in Christ.