The Holy Spirit, our Advocate

“I have told you this while I am with you. 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.” Jn 14:26

If you have ever been to a courthouse for a trial then you know the setting for St. John’s gospel. John suggests that not only Jesus, but the entire church is on trial, and that both Jesus and the church have an Advocate, a spokesperson who will testify on their behalf. This Advocate is the Holy Spirit. In the ancient world, if you were accused of a crime, it was important to haven an important figure in town speak on your behalf, someone to insist that you were more than your faults. The Holy Spirit is the one John designates as our spokesperson.

Not infrequently, when our spirits are low, we forget all those who care about and love us. Overwhelmed by our own guilt or weakness, we slip into a kind of darkness that blankets every thing we do and are. Though we know that life is not all darkness, we have periods of time when it seems that way, usually because of the accumulation of burdens. It is at times like this that we have to remember that we are not alone, the Spirit of God is with us, will guide us and support us.

Today, ask the Advocate to intercede for someone you know who cannot pray for themselves.

Has your faith called you to be an Advocate for others?

Grace is like the rain

"You are my disciples if you have love for one another." Jn 13:35

St Cyril of Jerusalem, using the simplest of metaphors, helps us understand the Christ in a very accessible way:

But why did Christ call the grace of the Spirit water?...Water comes down from heaven as rain, and although it is always the same in itself, it produces many different effects, one in the palm tree, another in the vine, and so on throughout the whole of creation. It does not come down, now as one thing, now as another, but while remaining essentially the same, it adapts itself to the needs of every creature that receives it.

That Jesus' Spirit is like rain invites us to sit by a window, watch the rain come down and imagine it nurturing and nourishing every plant and tree we can see. When it penetrates the roots of an oak tree, it allows the oak to be itself, strong and majestic, but when it drenches the roots of a tomato plant, it makes it possible for the plant to produce tomatoes. The miracle of grace and growth is obvious and important.

Our lives, lived in faith, should be like rain in others' lives. It is not our task to change those around us, but to help them become themselves in faith. When we give of ourselves freely to those in need, they can become the person God intends and needs them to become for the sake of God's reign. As God sends Jesus, and Jesus send us, so must we send others in Jesus' name to be signs of God's love.

Today, pray that those closest to you will become God's face in the world.

Who has been like rain in your faith life?

St Mathias

 “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love." Jn 15:9

Having someone near, especially in difficult circumstances, can be important and helpful. Knowing we are not alone reminds us that another will walk with and help us interpret whatever life brings. More important, Jesus promises us that his presence will never fail, that there is nothing we can do to turn God away from us. We can ignore or forget God's love, but God cannot forget us.

It is important to recall God's fidelity, especially when nothing about God or church feels right. Sometimes, stumbling through the dark woods of life's struggle, we can be distracted and doubt God's mercy, but the scriptures are forever reminding us that just as God loves Jesus, Jesus loves us.

It is also critical to have spiritual practices that remind us to turn each day, even several times a day, to God and seek God's understanding and intercession. Developing habits of prayer assure us that every day we will pause to remember the God who remains in and sustains us in life and grace.

Today, find a few moments to thank God for God's fidelity to us through the Spirit.

What practices do you have that help you remain in God as God remains in you?

Thanking our Mentors

  "Master, we do not know where you are going, how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him. "I am the way, and the truth, and the life." Jn 14:6

Relationships are the key to a gospel life. Without relationships rooted in faith there is no Good News. Though Thomas claims not to know the way, it is only because he has misunderstood Jesus, thinking the Lord is talking about a place to which he is going when he reminds his friends that they know the way. In fact, Jesus is the way. It is only in and through our relationship with him and one another in faith that we witness to God's saving love alive in us.

Most of us, thank God, know this truth intimately. From our earliest years we have been blessed with guides, mentors and soul friends, people who not only instructed us in the formal aspects of faith by teaching us our daily prayers like the Our Father and the Hail Mary, but also witnessed to faith by how they cared for others and reached out to the needy. Today, when we think of them, we are more grateful for the way they lived faith and loved us despite our weaknesses than the catechism lessons they taught us.

Today, pause to remember those who blessed you with unconditional love.

From whom did you learn how to honor God and serve others?