The Gospel of John is built around several major interdependent themes. Let us briefly consider just three of those themes. A seminal theme is expressed through the Greek verb menō, variously translated by the English words “abide”, “stay”, “remain”, “make your home” etc. See for example the parable of the vine in John 15:1-10. Secondly, “light” (phōs) is a major theme. It is generally contrasted with “darkness” (skotos). See for example 3:19-21 and recall that dramatic moment when Judas, at the Last Supper, “after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night” (13:30). Thirdly, “believe” (pisteuō) is a major theme, used more than one hundred times. John always uses it as a verb. See for example the Prologue, 1:7 & 12.
Today’s Gospel – John 15:26-27 & 16:12-15 – reminds us of another Johannine theme: “Truth” – “when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth”. “Truth”, as used by John, can only be understood in the context of the other themes, especially, menō.
In John’s Gospel, there are at least 26 references to “truth” (alētheia) and at least 19 references to “true” (alēthēs). These references are complex. This is perhaps nowhere better illustrated than in Jesus’ encounter with Pilate: “‘My kingdom is not from here’. Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice’. Pilate asked him, ‘What is truth?’” (18:37-38).
The first few times John makes reference to “truth”, he couples it with another theme – “grace and truth” (1:14 & 17) and “spirit and truth” (4:23 & 24). Today’s Gospel refers to “the Spirit of truth”. This is a personalization of “truth”, taking us to the heart of John’s understanding of “truth”. Recall Jesus’ response to Thomas’ question about how to get to where Jesus says he is going: “‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life’” (14:6). Jesus’ declaration “to the Jews who had believed in him” must be interpreted in the light of that response to Thomas: “‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free’” (8:31-32). This is brought into direct contrast with another declaration by Jesus in the same discourse, although it seems to be directed at Jews who did not believe in him: “‘You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies’” (8:44).
This meditation on “truth” offered in today’s Gospel is particularly pertinent in “the ag of post-truth”. Quite apart from Jesus’ teaching, an individual or group that has lost respect for truth will eventually disintegrate, probably wreaking havoc in the process. The “truth”, John reminds us, is a person. Knowing the truth, John also reminds us, is “abiding” in that person. Practically speaking, the development of an “abiding relationship” with him who is “the Way, the Truth, the Life”, emerges in constant listening for, facing and surrendering to the truth of our daily experience. Be persistent!
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