Paraclete

At the Last Supper, Jesus promised to send us the Holy Spirit in order to bring the whole world into his Mystical Body, the Church. He used the Greek word “Paraclete” instead of Spirit. What is the meaning?

Some translations say “advocate” which sounds like a character in an American court drama – all legal cleverness. It is much more than that. It means a person of importance who speaks for someone who is weak and unimportant - someone who is definitely on your side. It also means an empowerer – someone who enables you to do far more than you actually think you can do - someone who lifts you up.

The Holy Spirit, who is the very love between Father and Son in the Trinity of God, comes to us. On the sixth Sunday of Easter the first reading tells of how the Deacon Philip went to Samaria and proclaimed the Gospel. Many people believed and were baptised. When the Apostles in Jerusalem heard about it, they sent Peter and John to Samaria to confirm the new Christians.

The Sacrament of Confirmation is more than Baptism which brings a person into close relationship with Jesus in the Church. Confirmation empowers us to be prophets of God in the world where we live. He inspires us with wisdom, understanding, knowledge, fortitude, counsel piety and fear of the Lord.

Some of these gifts need explaining:

Knowledge: The ability to recognize the true value of creation in relation to the Creator, understanding the purpose of life. Also being inspired with words of knowledge for another person which we would not naturally know.

Counsel: The ability to discern the right course of action, guiding us to choose what is right and avoid evil. Also, the ability to guide other people with more insight than we naturally possess.

Piety: A spirit of loving obedience and devotion toward God, fostering a deep relationship with Him. Also, a burning desire to share that knowing with other people.

Fear of the Lord: A profound respect and awe for God, accompanied by a fear of offending Him, rather than a servile fear of punishment. Also, the desire to communicate that awe to others.