The Holy Spirit

In today’s Gospel Jesus promises his disciples— and us, the Church — another Counsellor, another Helper, another Paraclete, another Advocate that will be with us forever. The Greek word is paraklētos, that can be translated as advocate, helper, intercessor.

This coming Thursday, when we celebrate the feast of the Ascension, we will hear how Jesus promises his disciples that they shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon them, and they shall be his witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and ‘to the end of the earth’. The feast of Pentecost is the third most important feast of the Church. We celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, given to renew and transform the Church, to share the good news of Jesus with all.

Five years ago Pope Francis, in his homily for Pentecost Sunday, reminded us of this promise:

When the Paraclete comes, whom I will send to you from the Father… (Jn 15:26). With these words, Jesus promises to send his disciples the Holy Spirit, the ultimate gift, the gift of gifts. He uses an unusual and mysterious word to describe the Spirit: Paraclete. He is the very love of God, who does not abandon us, for being present to those who are alone is, itself, a source of comfort. Saint Bonaventure tells us that ‘where the trials are greater, he brings greater comfort, not like the world, which comforts and flatters us when things go well, but derides and condemns us when they do not.’ (Homily in the Octave of the Ascension)

The Spirit is the comforter, the consoler, the one who stands beside us to be our advocate. We have all received the fullness of the Holy Spirit at Baptism and confirmation. I encourage you all to prepare for the great feast of Pentecost by taking part in nine days of prayer, beginning this coming Friday and ending on Saturday 23rd May. For each of these nine days, let us pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Here is a simple prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want more of your Holy Spirit. Activate aspects of His work that have been dormant in my life. Bring me into a deeper relationship with you. Give me greater zeal to be a witness for you and live a life of prayer, love, and service. Pour out your Holy Spirit on the whole Church! We need you, consoler
Lord! Come!