Chapters 14 to 17 of John’s Gospel are known as the Farewell
Discourse—a formal farewell speech Jesus delivered at the Last Supper on the
night before he died. In his Farewell address, as we heard today, Jesus speaks
about his departure to the Father and the sending of the Holy Spirit—his Ascension
and Pentecost which we will celebrate in the next two weeks.
As he announces the sending of the Holy Spirit upon the
Church, the Lord Jesus uses a fascinating title for the Spirit—Jesus calls Him,
in Greek, the parakletos, the Paraclete—a word having legal connotations. The
word is even translated as Advocate, in our English translation, a title given
to lawyers who defend their clients.
And that’s precisely one of the tasks the Holy Spirit is
sent to do. The Holy Spirit acts as a sort of defense attorney, to prove the
case for Jesus Christ. The Paraclete throughout history defends Christ’s claim
to be God, to be the Messiah, to be the Savior. He advocates for Christ and for
belief in Christ. He helps the world remember who Christ is—what Christ has
said and taught in his public ministry, and what Christ has done and
accomplished in his Passion, Death, and Resurrection.
The case for Christ takes place in the courtroom of the
world in every age and place until the Lord’s return. And the evidence, the
testimony, with which the Spirit proves Christ’s case, is us, the Church.
You want
proof that Jesus Christ is truly God and Lord and has conquered sin and death?
Look at the evidence produced by the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church.
Look at the courage of the martyrs; look at the sanctity of the saints—their miracles,
their outpouring of love. Look at the unity he has accomplished among the
disparate peoples of the world who accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Look at
the patience and joy and understanding and knowledge he gives to ordinary
people who pray.
Every Christian is to be a piece of evidence in the Spirit’s
case that the world might believe. The words and works he inspires, the
spiritual fruit he cultivates, are all testimony to convince and convict the
world that Jesus Christ is Lord. May we cooperate with the Spirit as best as we
possibly can. May we experience the conversion of mind and heart God wants for
us, that his life may be evident in us, that the world may witness why
following Jesus Christ, why initiation into and active participation in the life of His Church, is the most important thing you can possible do, for the
glory of God and salvation of souls.
That all bishops, priests, catechists, and parents may be
faithful in preaching and teaching and living out the saving Gospel of Christ.
For an increase in the gifts of the Holy Spirit among all
Christians, and for all who are persecuted for the faith. For those who do not
believe in God and for those who have fallen away from the Church.
For all priests, that they may be ardent preachers and
faithful stewards of the sacred mysteries. For the sanctification of all
priests: for the endurance to remain faithful to their calling amidst so many
challenges, and for an increase in vocations to the ordained priesthood.
For the sick, the suffering, those in nursing homes,
hospitals, and hospice care, for the underemployed and unemployed, for the
imprisoned, those with addictions, for those who grieve the loss of a loved
one, and those who will die today, that the Spirit of Consolation may comfort
them.
For the deceased members of our families, friends and
parish, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for all those who fought and
died for our freedom.
O God, who know that our life in this present age is subject
to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the
prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.
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