6th Week of Easter 2026 - Tuesday - The Paraclete's case for Christ

 

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.

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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.

 

6th Week of Easter 2023 - Tuesday - Advocate for Christ

 The Gospel of John’s account of the Last Supper is quite different from the other Gospels. For one, St. John omits the institution of the Eucharist and includes the washing of the Apostles’ feet.  John’s Last Supper is also a much longer text, spanning several chapters compared to just a few verses in the other Gospels. The bulk of those chapters consists of one scholars call the Lord’s Farewell Discourse in which Jesus delivers one of the most moving, theologically rich, and mystical passages in the whole New Testament. 

We fittingly read from the Farewell Discourse as we near Pentecost, for in that passage, the Lord speaks about how upon his departure to the Father, the Holy Spirit will be sent upon the Church, ushering in a brand-new chapter in God’s Saving plan in which the world will become convicted for the Gospel. 

And in this announcement of the Spirit’s coming, the Lord Jesus uses a fascinating title for the Spirit, the 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. He 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. And his work: the case for Christ, takes place on the world stage in every age until the Lord’s return. And the evidence with which the Spirit uses to prove Christ’s case, is us, the Church.

You want proof that Jesus Christ is truly God and Lord? 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 saints he has produced, look at their miracles, their righteousness. Look at the unity he has brought among the disparate people 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 for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

 

That all bishops, priests, catechists, and parents may be faithful in preaching and teaching 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 yet gentle 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.

6th Week of Easter 2021 - Tuesday - The Paraclete Convicts!

 As we near the end of the Easter season and the growing closeness of the Feasts of the Ascension of the Lord and Pentecost, the Lord’s teachings in the daily Gospels speak more and more about his going to the Father and the sending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. 

He must go, he explains, that the Holy Spirit may descend and usher in the final age—the end chapter in God’s Saving Plan in which the world will become convicted of the Gospel. 

The Lord uses a fascinating title for the Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity. The Lord calls him, in Greek, the parakletos, the paraclete—a word having legal connotations, sometimes even translated as Counselor or Advocate, titles given to lawyers. One the Paraclete comes, he will act as a sort of defense attorney, to prove the case for Jesus Christ. The Paraclete will defend Christ’s claim to be God, to be the Messiah, to be the Savior. And this legal case will take place on the world stage over the course of the remainder of human history. And the evidence with which the Spirit will use to prove Christ’s case, is us, the Church.

You want to proof that Jesus Christ is truly God and Lord? 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 saints he has produced, look at their miracles, their righteousness. Look at the unity he has brought among the disparate people 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.

The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, helps us convince—to convict—the world about the error of sin, and the travesty of not believing and following Jesus. He helps us  prove to the world that God is real and Jesus is worth following. He helps us learn our faith, that we may teach it and preach it with clarity and conviction. And arranges opportunities for us to share the faith with those who yearn for truth and righteousness.  

Over half a million adults became Catholic at Easter this year. The Holy Spirit, through the preaching of the Church, through the faithfulness of Catholics like ourselves, drew them, guided them to the truth of Christ. 

May we continue to cooperate with the Spirit’s work to convict the world, giving evidence to the truths of our faith by the integrity of our lives for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For an increase in the gifts of the Holy Spirit among all Christians, and that the Spirit of Faith may be enkindled in all those who do not believe, the lukewarm, and those who have fallen away from the Church. 

That during this month of May, Christians may turn to Mary, Mother of the Church, seeking her aid and imploring her intercession with increased and fervent devotion, especially by praying the Holy Rosary. Let us pray to the Lord.

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 undergoing surgery, 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.

4th Sunday after Easter 2021 (EF) - The Paraclete

 The Gospel of John’s account of the Last Supper is quite different from the other Gospels. For one, St. John omits the institution of the Eucharist and includes the washing of the Apostles’ feet.  John’s Last Supper is also a much longer text, spanning several chapters compared to just a few verses in other Gospels. And this is so, principally because it contains what scholars call The Lord’s Farewell Discourse in which the Lord delivers one of the most moving, theologically rich, and mystical passages in the whole New Testament. 

The Lord’s Farewell follows the example of the farewell speeches of the great men and women from the Old Testament: people like Jacob, Moses, David, Tobit, Noah, Rebecca, Isaac, and Enoch. Addressing those who are closest to them, they speak about their impending deaths, and offer comfort in the face of the grief their announcement produces.  They promise how after the departure, their deaths, God’s care and God’s saving plan will continue. And they leave instructions on how those left behind should behave.

The Lord’s farewell speech fits this pattern well: he speaks about his coming crucifixion, death, resurrection, and ascension to the Father, and offers instructions for his disciples: they are to love one another, by following his example of humble self-sacrificial service. 

On this fourth Sunday after Easter, the Gospel is taken from a portion of the Lord’s Last Supper farewell discourse in which is explanation his news of his going to the Father so fills the disciples hearts with sadness that they are rendered speechless. “I have spoken these things to you, and sorrow has filled your heart”. Then the Lord then makes an astonishing claim that it’s even hard for us to understand. He says that it’s better for everyone that he does go than if he stayed on earth. 

He must go, he explains, that the Holy Spirit may descend and usher in the final age—the end chapter in God’s Saving Plan in which the world will become convicted of the Gospel. 

The Lord uses a fascinating title for the Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity. The Lord calls him, in Greek, the parakletos, the paraclete—a word having legal connotations, sometimes even translated as Counselor or Advocate, titles given to lawyers. One the Paraclete comes, he will act as a sort of defense attorney, to prove the case for Jesus Christ. The Paraclete will defend Christ’s claim to be God, to be the Messiah, to be the Savior. And this legal case will take place on the world stage over the course of the remainder of human history. And the evidence with which the Spirit will use to prove Christ’s case, is us, the Church.

You want to proof that Jesus Christ is truly God and Lord? 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 saints he has produced, look at their miracles. Look at the unity he has brought among the disparate people 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.

The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, helps us convince—to convict—the world about the error of sin, and the travesty of not believing and following Jesus. He helps us  prove to the world that God is real and Jesus is worth following. He helps us learn our faith, that we may teach it and preach it with clarity and conviction. And arranges opportunities for us to share the faith with those who yearn for truth and righteousness.  The Paraclete even helps to convince us to turn away from the sins that still linger in us, the destructive habits, the behaviors and attitudes, that are incompatible with the Christian way.  For the enemy is a sort of lawyer too that will use our sins and selfishness as counterpoints. But, as Bishop Perez used to say, the Spirit works through us and sometimes even in spite of us, thanks be to God.

Over half a million adults became Catholic at Easter this year. The Holy Spirit, through the preaching of the Church, through the faithfulness of Catholics like ourselves, drew them, guided them to the truth of Christ. 

May we continue to cooperate with the Spirit’s work to convict the world, giving evidence to the truths of our faith by the integrity of our lives for the glory of God and salvation of souls.