The Easter Season allows us time to reflect more deeply on the mystery of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of St. John tells us that “the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit” (John 3:34). From of old, the prophets foretold that the Spirit of the Lord would rest on the Messiah, so that His saving mission could be accomplished. One such prophet was Isaiah who wrote, “The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him” (Isaiah 11:2).
This presence of the Holy Spirit was confirmed in our Lord’s Baptism by John at the River Jordan. The Gospel of St. Matthew describes the event in this way: “After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:16-17).
God has given everything over to the Son (John 3:35), the One in whom the Spirit is not rationed (John 3:34). To accept the Son’s testimony “certifies that God is trustworthy” (John 3:33). Furthermore, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life” (John 3:36).
A great deal depends on our acceptance of the Son. Our Lord Jesus Christ is not just one other teacher among many. Neither is He a religious leader of “another of the world’s great religions.” With St. Peter we say, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). With St. Thomas we say, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28).