Faith Reflection

Jesus leaves peace as his farewel (John 14:23-29)

Just like last week’s gospel, this passage also comes from the Last Supper discourse in the Gospel of John. Again, although its original context was pre-crucifixion, the language works in the post-resurrection Easter season as we anticipate the celebration of the Ascension next week. This double purpose language is, of course, no accident. The gospel was written 60 or more years after the death and resurrection of Jesus and so the writer was consciously conveying the double meaning of ‘going away’: Jesus going to his death; and Jesus going back to the Father. But Jesus also promises his return in this speech. Continuing the double meaning, the gospel writer knew that Jesus had come good on his promise to return after his death and so conveys to the gospel audience, and to us, a sense of confidence and hope that the second promised return will also be fulfilled at the right time.

In the meantime, Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit to the disciples and to the world.

The Holy Spirit is to be the Advocate (the Paraclete) of the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit performs a dual purpose: firstly, to carry on the teaching; and secondly, to continue to remind the believers of all that Jesus said and did. The action of the Holy Spirit continues in the world today – inspiring and teaching those who are open to hearing and keeping alive the memory of Jesus, his teaching and his compassion. We talk about being full of school spirit and team spirit but these feelings of loyalty and commitment are only a distant echo of what it is to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Historical Context – The time of absence

At the time of writing of the Gospel of John (during the last decade of the 1st Century), the community of believers were beginning to come to terms with the continued absence of Jesus. In the earlier gospels, particularly Mark, there is a feeling of expectation evident in the writing – an expectation that Jesus’ promised return was imminent. By the time of John’s community, there was an acceptance that the glorious return of Jesus still lay some time in the future. They wrestled with keeping alive the memory and message of Jesus when there was no end in sight.

Gospel Focus – Advocate

In the text, Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as the Advocate, sometimes translated as Paraclete. Both words have very similar meanings. Today when we describe someone as an advocate we usually mean that they stand up for and speak out for someone else or a particular cause. Advocate also has a legal meaning where the advocate bears witness and attests to the validity of another. The Holy Spirit is the Advocate of Jesus in that the action of the Holy Spirit continues to bear witness to the message of Jesus.

Different View – Peace

Jesus promises his peace to the disciples in today’s gospel passage. However, some people argue that the world has not known that peace in the time since then. Some Jewish people cite this as one of their arguments against Jesus being regarded as the promised Messiah. One of the prophecies about the Messiah was that there would be universal peace once the Messiah arrived. Those who argue against Jesus as the Messiah point to the fact that since the time of Jesus, not a single day has gone by in our history in which there has not been some war or conflict occurring somewhere on earth.

By Greg Sunter

Class Masses

Week	Date	Class	Chosen theme
	Term 2 2025
5	23.5.2025	1/2 M	Peace
6	30.5.2025	5/6 L	NAIDOC
7	6.6.2025	5/6 A	Pentecost
8	13.6.2025	3/4 B	Holy Trinity
9	20.6.2025	3/4MK	The Good Shepherd
10	27.6.2025	5/6 O	Pilgrims of Hope - HOPE
11	4.7.2025		NO MASS
	Term 3 2025
2	25.7.2025	5/6 N	Grandparents Day
2	1.8.2025	1/2 S	St John Vianney Day
3	8.8.2025	1/2 D	St Mary of the Cross
4	9.8.2025		NO MASS
5	22.8.2025	1/2 C	Jesus’ Love
6	29.8.2025	0 L	Creation
7	5.9.2025	0 C	Father’s Day
8	12.9.2025		NO MASS
9	19.9.2025	5/6 J	Friendship
	Term 4 2025
1	10.10.2025	1/2 B	Teachers' Day
2	17.10.2025		NO MASS
3	24.10.2025	0 W	Children of God - God Loves Me

The Vibrant Parish Formation

St John Vianney Parish is excited to invite you to our upcoming Vibrant Parish Formation Series – a dynamic journey designed to deepen our parish life.

Come for one Tuesday each month for engaging sessions featuring local and international guest speakers who will guide us in exploring the five essential characteristics of a vibrant parish:Worship • Evangelisation • Formation • Fellowship • Service

Session Dates (6:30 PM – 9:00 PM):

Tuesday, 13th May
Tuesday, 10th June
Tuesday, 1st July
Tuesday, 12th August
Tuesday, 9th September

If you would like to attend, please contact the parish office at st.john.vianney.mulgrave@gmail.com

Sacraments 2025 – Confirmation & First Holy Communion

St John Vianney Parish is preparing for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation and the Sacrament of First Holy Communion in 2025.

Confirmation

Thank you to the families who attended yesterdays Parish Confirmation information session

📅 Sacrament of Confirmation: Sunday 17th August at 1:00 PM

First Holy Communion

📅 Information Sessions: Tuesday 5th August at 10:00 AM or 7:00 PM

📅 Sacrament of Holy Communion : 15-16 & 22- 23 November at 6pm and 10am

Attendance at one information session is required in order to receive an enrolment form and details of further preparation dates.

Birthdays

We wish the following students a fantastic day on their birthday!!! May you feel very special...

Happy Birthday!

We hope that you enjoy(ed) your special day!