Holy Spirit Encyclical (cont'd) - Part II -Section 1, paragraph 27

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today begins Part II of the Holy Spirit Encyclical by St. JPII

**PART II - THE SPIRIT WHO CONVINCES THE WORLD CONCERNING SIN

1. Sin, Righteousness and Judgment
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2. When Jesus during the discourse in the Upper Room foretells the coming of the Holy Spirit “at the price of” his own departure, and promises “I will send him to you,” in the very same context he adds: "And when he comes, he will convince the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment."102 The same Counselor and Spirit of truth who has been promised as the one who “will teach” and "bring to remembrance, " who “will bear witness,” and “guide into all the truth,” in the words just quoted is foretold as the one who “will convince the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgement.”

The context too seems significant. Jesus links this foretelling of the Holy Spirit to the words indicating his “departure” through the Cross, and indeed emphasizes the need for this departure: "It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you."103

But what counts more is the explanation that Jesus himself adds to these three words: sin, righteousness, judgment. For he says this: "He Will convince the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more; concerning judgment, because the ruler of the world is judged."104 In the mind of Jesus, sin, righteousness and judgment have a very precise meaning, different from the meaning that one might be inclined to attribute to these words independently of the speaker’s explanation. This explanation also indicates how one is to understand the “convincing the world” which** is proper to the action of the Holy Spirit. **Both the meaning of the individual words and the fact that Jesus linked them together in the same phrase are important here.

**“Sin,” in this passage, means the incredulity that Jesus encountered among “his own,” beginning with the people of his own town of Nazareth. **Sin means the rejection of his mission, a rejection that will cause people to condemn him to death. When he speaks next of “righteousness,” Jesus seems to have in mind that definitive justice, which the Father will restore to him when he grants him the glory of the Resurrection and Ascension into heaven: “I go to the Father.” In its turn, and in the context of “sin” and “righteousness” thus understood, “judgment” means that the Spirit of truth will show the guilt cf the “world” in condemning Jesus to death on the Cross. Nevertheless, Christ did not come into the world only to judge it and condemn it: he came to save it.105 Convincing about sin and righteousness has as its purpose the salvation of the world, the salvation of men. Precisely this truth seems to be emphasized by the assertion that “judgment” concerns only the prince of this world," Satan, the one who from the beginning has been exploiting the work of creation against salvation, against the covenant and the union of man with God: he is “already judged” from the start. If the Spirit-Counselor is to convince the world precisely concerning judgment, it is in order to continue in the world the salvific work of Christ.

We do not hear much about sin in most homilies today, yet it is as necessary to hear about sin as it is to hear about God’s Mercy. Let us pray especially on weekends for priests and deacons who will be preaching. Let us pray also especially for priests who will be hearing confessions today and for all those who need to confess their sins and receive God’s Mercy in Absolution. Let us pray for the Church with passion that all who participate at Mass will be fed and nourished by God’s Word and Holy Communion with Him in reception of the Eucharist. The efficacy of the Sacraments depends much on our dispositions in receiving them. How well do we prepare and receive them? How willful are the distractions and coldness? God help us!

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your Faithful. Kindle in us, the Fire of Your Love. Open the ears of our hearts to hear your Truth and strengthen our minds and wills to do Your Truth, lovingly. Mary, Mother of the Church, pray with us and for us.