Another Advocate

Throughout the Easter season, we reflect on the miracle of the resurrection and in the light of that truth, we hear anew the words that Jesus spoke to his disciples in those final days of his earthly existence.  As we hear them again, these words shed new light on the reality of our lives and remind us that Jesus has not left us.  Instead, he has gone before us to prepare a path for us, a path that will lead each one of us one day to the fullness of eternal life in heaven.

If you love me, you will keep my commandments, and I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate who will be with you forever (Jn 14: 15-16).  Jesus asked the disciples only to love him.  This is the same for us.  Jesus asks us only to love him, but how do we love him?  ... by keeping his commandments.  The greatest of all the commandments he gave was to love God and to love our neighbour.

Therefore, we can ask ourselves:  Do I love God?  How do I show my love for Him? ... and do I love my neighbour?  How do I try to show God's presence to the members of my family?  Do I strive to be a witness to God in the relationships I nurture with my friends?  Do I demonstrate my love for God in my respect for the gift of human life?  Do I try my best to honour God in giving thanks for the gift of the environment?  Do I recognize the gift that I have been given and do everything I can to keep my body healthy?  Do I spend time in prayer for others, especially those I know who are experiencing doubt, fear, uncertainty or illness?  Do I try my best to console those who are sick?  Do I ask for the grace to recognize Christ in those who are suffering?  Do I pray for those who are caring for others ... those who cannot care for themselves?

Jesus said: If you love me, you will keep my commandments, and I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate.  The disciples did not understand the gift that Jesus was promising them.  Have you ever stopped to think about the gift that Jesus and the Father sent to us?  Jesus called that gift the Advocate.  Later on, this gift would become known as the Holy Spirit.  The Church teaches that the Spirit descended upon the Apostles on the day of Pentecost, and ever since then, the Holy Spirit has been living among us.  At times, we might be tempted to think that all the stories that are told in the bible are just stories, but the truth is that the Holy Spirit, the Lord's gift to His beloved children is alive and active among us.  This was the Father's ultimate gift, a gift that is still present among us even today.

The Holy Spirit, acting in our lives, helps us to remember all that Jesus told us.  This same Spirit is at work in us, helping us to find the words we need to speak to our friends and neighbours about the joy of our faith.  It is this same Holy Spirit that kindles within us the gift of compassion for those who are sick, suffering and in need ... and it is this same Holy Spirit that reminds us every day that we are precious and deeply loved.