The atmosphere at the Last Supper must have been one of both great fear and sadness. Jesus had been betrayed by one of his friends and he knew his end was coming. His disciples were confused but they must have realised they were all in grave danger, and they would have felt their Master’s distress. Jesus promised them an advocate to comfort them and support them. As the Word of God, he had faithfully taught as the Father willed: that teaching would now be reinforced by the Holy Spirit. He would make plain what they had not fully understood before, and would guide the infant church.
Jesus described the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of truth. Pilate would make the cynical remark: “What is truth?” (John 18:38) It would seem that many world leaders might ask the same question. ”Fake news” has become a familiar phrase nowadays. The work of the Spirit is to guide us along the path of divine truth.
In Acts, Luke makes constant reference to this Spirit, right from his descent at Pentecost. For example, the apostles, having conferred with one another as to whether the gentiles should be circumcised, wrote a letter containing the words: “It has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us... ” (Acts 15:28)
“Send forth your Spirit, Lord, and renew the face of the earth.” (Psalm 104)