May 12, 2021

Jn 16: 12-15

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

Information overload

I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” (Jn 16:12)

During the pandemic I attended more virtual meetings than I ever had before. I learned the truth of something I had heard years ago. Human beings can absorb information for 90 minutes. After that we attain information overload and simply cannot process any more.

I thought of that “overload” concept when reading today’s Gospel. Jesus was trying to teach his disciples some very deep and complex advice.  It’s all they would need to know and understand to spread his Good News to the world. Even though the listeners may have felt that information overload, Jesus knew that the Holy Spirit would come to them with the gift of understanding. Eventually they would comprehend what they needed. Jesus was not concerned about what his followers lacked. He loved them and generously gave them what he knew they needed. In a sometimes hectic world, we can trust that Jesus still does the same for us. 

—Kathy England is a Pastoral Associate at St. Xavier Church in Cincinnati, OH.

Prayer

Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
  teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
  for you are the God of my salvation;
  for you I wait all day long.

—Psalm 25:5