Others can believe it, or not; it's up to them

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/060319.cfm
Acts 19:1-8
John 16:29-33

Two things about John, Chapter 16. The Trinity is real and includes Jesus as an in-contractable and inseparable member. That’s just one thing. The other thing is that the ruler of the world has been conquered by a crucified man who rose from the dead because he was the incarnated (God become man) redeemer. Only by God becoming man could death be denied a permanent clutch on humanity, and even all of creation. Those two things make it possible, then, for Jesus to be declared by the Father to each of us. 

“Oh, but someday you will die. You haven’t got a clue. None of what Jesus said has come true. I say no to this pack of lies.”

The truth is not yes or no, believable or unbelievable. The truth is evident. It is us who are yes or no. We either accept it or reject it. It is us who choose to believe the truth or to deny it. Again, the truth is evident, spiritually and physically, and thus, mystically. You put spirit and physical together and you get a whole transitory thing going on. Spirit and flesh make for a mystical awareness and awakening to God. It’s a mighty witness to say the truth is spiritually and physically real because the Holy Spirit is speaking through everything in creation and every spiritual entity. Why even the demons cry out to Jesus. Truth is evident. Believers know because we've been witnessed to God by others, but we are only convinced by God. In Corinthians, Paul explains that no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.

“There is no devil. There is only us doing evil. Clean up your act, make something of yourself, and make the world a better place. What more can you do?”

Some say that Jesus does not belong within the Trinity, nor has he conquered the ruler of the world. Claims are made that scripture is not clear. Plus, they insist, neither of these beliefs are revealed in history in any evidentiary way. The world is only better because people have adopted better technologies; but war, pestilence and evil still freely reign. In our witness to each other we see the Holy Spirit revealing a redemptive God in both scriptures and daily intercessions; and through the ongoing revelation of the saints, recorded over two millennia. This is why we gather in the Church. Not to be convinced, but to be affirmed, reminded, blessed and united to what the Spirit tells us all.

“The world is a horror show. Pray you get lucky, because God hasn’t fixed a thing.”

We might also be scolded to think that Jesus ever said he was God. Believers, however, must allow the naysayers and doubters their due, because it is not our place to condemn them, or to save them. We must witness, and sacrifice for their behalf. It is theirs to accept or deny. By denying it they may come to know the truth. Their salvation is not up to us. Like we had to choose, so do they. Bow your head and pray. Lower your eyes, and allow them to be enlightened even in their hubris and bravado, for eventually they may be won over, challenged by their own words.

“Don’t bother praying for me. I’ve taken a different path.”

It’s quite clearly the job of the redeemer to save us, and not ourselves. It is also clear that the Spirit of truth will guide everyone to hear what Jesus has said after the Father has declared himself to each of us in faith. What we must do is “be gathered” by the Spirit, be brought together and belong to the Church. How can we witness and love the wandering and lost if we are wandering and lost ourselves?

“I’ve tried religion, meditation, and even missionary work. I’ve got nothing.”

The timing of how conversion happens is weird. It’s oddly wrapped up in things beyond our calculations. Perhaps it is the Spirit who first engages us in whispers and miraculous engagements. Years, maybe decades go by before we trust that Spirit’s soothing love to open ourselves to the Father. Maybe it’s not until our deathbed that we finally meet Jesus. Or, maybe it’s in a completely different order, and it all comes together in an instant when we’re only 14 years old. God will find us, and we decide.

There’s no handbook. No alarm clock. No mantra. No sacrament. No special discovery. There’s just God speaking to us, and bringing us into the Church. We're not saved alone. We're gathered together. God knows exactly how each of us can be touched by him. Then all the sacraments, mantras, miracles and revelations will be revealed, affirming our new conviction.

“I’ve never heard God say anything to me. I’m not on his radar.”

I do not have to prove that Jesus said the Trinity is real, that he belongs to it; nor that he has conquered the world. He said he was sending the Spirit, whose coming we celebrate this coming Sunday. The conquering of the world is because it has been convicted “in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation,” Jesus said. There is no proof in my convincing, though the scriptures report with incredible detail what Jesus said. The proof is not mine, nor even the scriptures. In fact, the proof is not even in us gathered together. The proof only comes when we receive the gift of faith and are faced with a choice. We choose to be convicted by faith, or convicted by sin, righteousness and condemnation.

“You’re not going to change my mind.”

We cannot compete with the faulty meanderings of either the linguist or the scholar who mislead people into hiding from God; or the investigators who measure with pre-calibrated tools in order to deny any mystical attentions from God; or the erudite counselors who enliven our emotions and fears, hypnotizing us to overpower the Spirit of truth with angst. We don’t have to compete. We are partners with the source of all holiness. Chosen and willing, we gather and remind each other what the Spirit is doing. That is the witness that will draw someone’s eyes, ears, nose, taste, or touch to the physical presence of God in creation; and then envelop their spirits into the spiritual realm where the saints and angels reside. God will convince them.

“You Christians live in a fantasy land. Wait until it all comes crashing down.”

The Trinity and Jesus’ kingship are two very big deals. Two out of fashion imperatives of Christ follower’s faith. Though doubted by serious thinkers, the Trinity and Jesus the King cannot be silenced by the world’s wayward ways and limited allowance for evidence. 

“I have told you this so that you may not fall away. They will expel you from the synagogues; in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God. They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me. I have told you this so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you.”

When "their hour comes" holiness will be targeted. If we are not in evil's bullseye, how come? Well, fear silences us. We can’t help ourselves. We are nervous. We even doubt. We cautiously hold our faith close to our vest, thinking we must protect it, when our faith’s protections are holy armors that already protect us. We have it backwards. Our speech wavers in the face of more aggressive denunciations of what we consider clearly defined mystical spiritual/physical things. Trusting the Spirit of Truth to breathe upon those who intimidate us must be practiced. It does not come natural until our natures are aligned to God and only loosely hinged to this world by a door we no longer want to use. 

And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin, because they do not believe in me; righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.

Jesus talks plainly about the Trinity, specifically identifying the Spirit of Truth, and the Father. He notes that the Spirit will glorify himself, Jesus, and that the Father has given everything that is his to Jesus. And, everything Jesus says the Father will reveal to us.

But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.

I keep reading Chapter 16, and it carries me away from here in many ways, but in truth it properly binds me to what is real here and in heaven. We are not lost here, only fogged in, rained out, battered by the wind, and overheated and frostbitten at our weakest moments. We’ll be drowned or burned up, or just extinguished, eventually. These are only temporary passings. “It’s only death, sweet death; and we crossover with our arms outstretched,” we may someday be able to say. 

I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.