Today we continue to hear Jesus' farewell discourse to the disciples. He warns them frankly that life will not be easy in the time ahead - they will even be persecuted. Hardships will come during their time in this world. He then asks them about their faith, "Do you believe?" Jesus invites the disciples to find peace in him; he has conquered the world.

The Spirit is an important part of believing. Paul's journey to Ephesus illustrates that faith is incomplete without knowledge and experience of the Holy Spirit. The reception of the Spirit is a decisive part of becoming Christian. After Paul baptizes the Ephesians in Jesus' name and lays hands on them, they begin to speak in tongues and prophesy. Their lives manifest the gifts of the Spirit.

The Spirit that inspired the Ephesians is the same Spirit that gives us the inner peace and conviction that Christ is now risen and with the Father. The Spirit confirms in our hearts that Christ has indeed conquered the world.