Homily: Monday of the 5th Week of Easter - The Paraclete

As we near the end of the easter season and the great feast of Pentecost, our readings refer more often to Jesus’ Ascension and the sending of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, the Consoler, the Paraclete. 

The Greek word translated as “Advocate” is the Greek word parakletos, from which we get the English word Paraclete. Both the greek “parakletos” and the latin “advocatus” mean the same thing, one who stands at your side.  In the Greco-Roman courtroom, your paraclete or advocate was the one who stood at your side and gave you help and assistance as your court case was tried.  Your advocate gave you counsel, pleaded your case, and interceded on their behalf.

In today’s Gospel Jesus says that the  “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I told you.” 

What does it mean that he “teaches”?  The Greek word St. John uses for teach is “didache”.  Whenever we are being instructed about what it means to be a Christian, whenever we come a deeper understanding of what it means to be a Christian, or whenever we are reading through a familiar text of Scripture and come to a deeper understanding of God’s word—that is the work of the Holy Spirit, bringing light to our mind.  It’s hard to admit, but sometimes we haven’t been the best of students, have we?

And what does the Paraclete help us to remember? Whenever we are facing a difficulty, or are confused about how we are to act as a Christian, the Holy Spirit reminds us of the Gospel—the demands of discipleship—the closeness of God to us in our trials.

Attending daily Mass is a wonderful way to open our minds and hearts to the Holy Spirit who wants to teach us and remind us of the works of the Lord.  It is here that we receive what we need to give good testimony in the world.  The whole Christian life is like a trial.  We are called to give witness to the Gospel, and the Holy Spirit is there to help us give good testimony.

At times, the Holy Spirit directs us to people so that we might teach and remind them.  There are people who are ignorant of the Christian faith, there are fellow Christians who have unfortunately closed their minds and ears to the work of the Holy Spirit.  They don’t want to be taught, they don’t want to remember.  They aren’t interested in keeping the Lord’s commandments and observing them. 

But we are sent to be at their sides, we are sent to be Paracletes to them, to give them counsel, to call them to repentance, to intercede on their behalf for their conversion.

But we cannot expect others to be open to the inspiration of the Advocate, if we ourselves are as not open as we should be. So we ask the Holy Spirit today to continue to teach us, convert our hearts, and lead us to greater joy, that we might do so for others, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.