The Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit as Advocateas Advocate

General audience General audience of May 24, 1989of May 24, 1989

In the previous reflection on In the previous reflection on the Holy Spirit we began the Holy Spirit we began with John's text of Jesus' with John's text of Jesus'

farewell discourse. farewell discourse. In a certain way this is the In a certain way this is the principal gospel source of principal gospel source of

pneumatology. pneumatology. Jesus announced the Jesus announced the

coming of the Holy Spirit, coming of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, who the Spirit of truth, who

"proceeds from the Father" "proceeds from the Father" (Jn 15:26). (Jn 15:26).

He will be sent by the He will be sent by the Father to the apostles and Father to the apostles and

the Church in Christ's name, the Church in Christ's name, by virtue of the redemption by virtue of the redemption effected in the sacrifice of effected in the sacrifice of the cross, according to the the cross, according to the eternal plan of salvation. eternal plan of salvation.

In the power of this In the power of this sacrifice the Son also sacrifice the Son also

"sends""sends" the Spirit, the Spirit,

for he announced that the for he announced that the spirit will come as a spirit will come as a

consequence, and at the consequence, and at the price of his own departure price of his own departure

(cf. Jn 16:7). (cf. Jn 16:7).

There is a connection There is a connection stated by Jesus himself stated by Jesus himself

between his death-between his death-resurrection-ascension resurrection-ascension

and the outpouring of the and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit,

between the Pasch and between the Pasch and Pentecost. Pentecost.

Indeed, according to the Indeed, according to the fourth Gospel, the giving fourth Gospel, the giving

of the Holy Spirit took of the Holy Spirit took place on the very evening place on the very evening

of Easter Sunday of Easter Sunday (cf. Jn 20:22-25). (cf. Jn 20:22-25).

It may be said that the It may be said that the wound in Christ's side on wound in Christ's side on the cross opened the way the cross opened the way for the outpouring of the for the outpouring of the

Spirit, Spirit,

which will be a sign and a which will be a sign and a fruit of the glory obtained fruit of the glory obtained though the passion and though the passion and

death.death.

We learn from Jesus' discourse We learn from Jesus' discourse in the upper room that he called in the upper room that he called the Holy Spirit the "Paraclete": the Holy Spirit the "Paraclete": "I will pray the Father, and he "I will pray the Father, and he

will send you another Paraclete, will send you another Paraclete, to be with you forever" to be with you forever"

(Jn 14:16). (Jn 14:16). Similarly we read in other texts: Similarly we read in other texts: "the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit" "the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit"

(cf. Jn 14:16; 15:26; 16:7). (cf. Jn 14:16; 15:26; 16:7). Instead of Instead of "Paraclete""Paraclete" many many translations use the word translations use the word

"Counselor.""Counselor." That term is acceptable, though That term is acceptable, though it is necessary to have recourse it is necessary to have recourse

to the original Greek word to the original Greek word ParakletosParakletos to grasp the full to grasp the full meaning of what Jesus says meaning of what Jesus says

about the Holy Spirit.about the Holy Spirit.

ParakletosParakletos means literally, means literally, "one who is called or appealed "one who is called or appealed

to" to" (from (from para-kalein,para-kalein, "to call to "to call to

one's assistance"one's assistance"). ). He is therefore the defender, He is therefore the defender, "the advocate,""the advocate," as well as the as well as the

"mediator""mediator" who fulfills the who fulfills the function of intercessor. function of intercessor.

It is this meaning of It is this meaning of "advocate-"advocate-defender"defender" that now interests that now interests us, while not forgetting that us, while not forgetting that

some Fathers of the Church use some Fathers of the Church use ParakletosParakletos in the sense of in the sense of "Counselor""Counselor" particularly in particularly in

reference to the Holy Spirit's reference to the Holy Spirit's action in regard to the Church. action in regard to the Church.

For the present we shall For the present we shall speak of the Holy Spirit speak of the Holy Spirit

as the Paraclete-as the Paraclete-Advocate-Defender. Advocate-Defender.

This term enables us to This term enables us to grasp the close grasp the close

relationship between relationship between Christ's action Christ's action

and that of the Holy and that of the Holy Spirit, Spirit,

as can be seen from a as can be seen from a further analysis of John's further analysis of John's

text.text.  Christ himself is the Christ himself is the

first Paracletefirst Paraclete

  Christ himself is the first Christ himself is the first ParacleteParaclete

  When Jesus in the upper When Jesus in the upper room, on the eve of his room, on the eve of his passion, announced the passion, announced the

coming of the Holy Spirit, coming of the Holy Spirit, he did so in the following he did so in the following

terms: terms:

"The Father will give you "The Father will give you another Paraclete." another Paraclete."

These words indicate that These words indicate that Christ himself is the first Christ himself is the first

Paraclete, Paraclete,

and that the Holy Spirit's and that the Holy Spirit's action will be like that of action will be like that of

Christ and in a sense Christ and in a sense prolong it.prolong it.

  Christ himself is the first Christ himself is the first ParacleteParaclete

  Jesus Christ, indeed, was the Jesus Christ, indeed, was the "defender" "defender"

and remains such. and remains such.

John himself will say so in his John himself will say so in his First Letter: First Letter:

"If anyone does sin, we have "If anyone does sin, we have an advocate (parakletos) with an advocate (parakletos) with the Father, Jesus Christ the the Father, Jesus Christ the

righteous" righteous" (1 Jn 2:1).(1 Jn 2:1).

St. John

  Christ himself is the first Christ himself is the first ParacleteParaclete

The advocate (defender) is he The advocate (defender) is he who, taking the part of those who, taking the part of those who are guilty because of sin who are guilty because of sin

committed, defends them committed, defends them from the penalty due to their from the penalty due to their sins, and saves them from the sins, and saves them from the danger of losing eternal life danger of losing eternal life

and salvation. and salvation.

This is precisely what Jesus This is precisely what Jesus Christ did. Christ did.

The Holy Spirit is called the The Holy Spirit is called the Paraclete because he Paraclete because he

continues Christ's redemptive continues Christ's redemptive work which freed us from sin work which freed us from sin

and eternal death.and eternal death.

The Paraclete will be "another The Paraclete will be "another advocate-defender" also for a advocate-defender" also for a

second reason. second reason.

Remaining with Christ's Remaining with Christ's disciples, disciples,

he will watch over them with he will watch over them with his omnipotent power. his omnipotent power.

Jesus said, Jesus said,

"I will pray the Father and he "I will pray the Father and he will give you another Paraclete will give you another Paraclete

to be with you forever" to be with you forever"

(Jn 14:16). (Jn 14:16).

"He dwells in you, and will be "He dwells in you, and will be in you" in you"

(Jn 14:16). (Jn 14:16).

This promise must be taken This promise must be taken together with the others made by together with the others made by Jesus when going to the Father: Jesus when going to the Father: We know that Christ is the Word We know that Christ is the Word

who who "became flesh and dwelt among us" "became flesh and dwelt among us"

(Jn 1:14). (Jn 1:14). When going to the Father he said: When going to the Father he said: "I am with you always, to the close "I am with you always, to the close

of the age" of the age" (Mt 28:20). (Mt 28:20).

It follows that the apostles and the It follows that the apostles and the Church must continually find, by Church must continually find, by

means of the Holy Spirit, that means of the Holy Spirit, that presence of the Word-Son which, presence of the Word-Son which, during his earthly mission, was during his earthly mission, was

physical and visible in his incarnate physical and visible in his incarnate humanity, but which, after his humanity, but which, after his

ascension to the Father, is ascension to the Father, is completely immersed in mystery. completely immersed in mystery.

The Holy Spirit's presence The Holy Spirit's presence which, as Jesus said, is interior which, as Jesus said, is interior

to souls and to the Church to souls and to the Church ("He dwells with you, and will ("He dwells with you, and will

be in you": Jn 14:17), be in you": Jn 14:17), will make the invisible Christ will make the invisible Christ present in a lasting manner present in a lasting manner

"until the end of the "until the end of the world." world."

The transcendent unity of the The transcendent unity of the Son and the Holy Spirit will Son and the Holy Spirit will

ensure that Christ's humanity, ensure that Christ's humanity, assumed by the Word, assumed by the Word, will be present at work will be present at work

wherever the trinitarian plan of wherever the trinitarian plan of salvation is being put into salvation is being put into

effect through the power of the effect through the power of the Father.Father.

The Holy Spirit-Paraclete will be the The Holy Spirit-Paraclete will be the advocate-defender of the apostles, advocate-defender of the apostles, and of all those down through the and of all those down through the

centuries in the Church who will be centuries in the Church who will be the heirs of their witness and the heirs of their witness and

apostolate. apostolate. This is especially so in difficult This is especially so in difficult

moments when they are tested to the moments when they are tested to the point of heroism. point of heroism.

This was Jesus' prophecy and promise: This was Jesus' prophecy and promise: "They will deliver you up to "They will deliver you up to

councils...you will be dragged councils...you will be dragged before governors and kings.... before governors and kings....

When they deliver you up, do not When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say...for it is or what you are to say...for it is

not you who speak, but the Spirit not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through of your Father speaking through

you" you" (Mt 10:17-20; likewise Mk 13:11; Lk (Mt 10:17-20; likewise Mk 13:11; Lk

12:12 says12:12 says: "for the Holy Spirit will : "for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that hour what you teach you in that hour what you

ought to say"ought to say").).

Even in this very practical Even in this very practical sense the Holy Spirit is the sense the Holy Spirit is the

Paraclete-Advocate. Paraclete-Advocate. He is close and even present He is close and even present

to the apostles when they to the apostles when they must profess the truth, must profess the truth, justify it and defend it. justify it and defend it. He himself then inspires He himself then inspires

them. them. He himself speaks through He himself speaks through their words, and together their words, and together

with them and through them with them and through them he bears witness to Christ he bears witness to Christ

and his Gospel. and his Gospel. Before their accusers he Before their accusers he

becomes the invisible becomes the invisible advocate of the accused, by advocate of the accused, by the fact that he acts as their the fact that he acts as their

counselor, defender and counselor, defender and supporter.supporter.

Especially during Especially during persecutions in all ages, persecutions in all ages,

those words of Jesus in the those words of Jesus in the upper room are verified: upper room are verified:

"When the Paraclete comes, "When the Paraclete comes,

whom I shall send to you whom I shall send to you from the Father...from the Father...

he will bear witness to me; he will bear witness to me;

and you also are witnesses, and you also are witnesses,

because you have been because you have been with me from the with me from the

beginning" beginning"

(Jn 15:26-27).(Jn 15:26-27).

The action of the Holy Spirit The action of the Holy Spirit is that of "bearing witness." is that of "bearing witness."

It is an interior, "immanent" It is an interior, "immanent" action in the hearts of the action in the hearts of the disciples, who then bear disciples, who then bear

witness to Christ externally. witness to Christ externally.

Through that immanent Through that immanent presence and action, the presence and action, the

transcendent power of the transcendent power of the truth of Christ who is the truth of Christ who is the

Word-Truth and Wisdom, is Word-Truth and Wisdom, is manifested and advances in manifested and advances in

the world. the world.

From him, through the Spirit, the From him, through the Spirit, the apostles obtained the power to apostles obtained the power to bear witness according to his bear witness according to his

promise: promise:

"I will give you a mouth of "I will give you a mouth of wisdom, which none of your wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict" withstand or contradict"

(Lk 21:15). (Lk 21:15).

This happened already in the This happened already in the case of the first martyr Stephen, case of the first martyr Stephen, of whom we read in the Acts of of whom we read in the Acts of the Apostles that he was the Apostles that he was "full of "full of

the Holy Spirit" the Holy Spirit"

(6:5). (6:5).

His adversaries His adversaries "could not "could not withstand the wisdom and the withstand the wisdom and the

spirit with which he spoke"spirit with which he spoke"

(Acts 6:10). (Acts 6:10).

Also in the following Also in the following centuries the opponents centuries the opponents

of the Christians of the Christians continued to rage continued to rage

against the heralds of against the heralds of the Gospel. the Gospel.

At times they stifled the At times they stifled the Christians' voice in their Christians' voice in their

blood, but without blood, but without succeeding in succeeding in

suffocating the truth of suffocating the truth of which they were the which they were the

messengers. messengers. That truth continued to That truth continued to

flourish in the world flourish in the world through the power of through the power of

the Spirit.the Spirit.

The Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit

——the Spirit of truth, the Spirit of truth, the Paraclete—the Paraclete—

is he who according is he who according to the words of to the words of

Christ, Christ,

"will convince the "will convince the world of sin and world of sin and of righteousness of righteousness

and of judgment" and of judgment" (Jn 16:8). (Jn 16:8).

Jesus' own explanation of these Jesus' own explanation of these terms is significant: terms is significant:

"Sin""Sin" signifies the lack of faith signifies the lack of faith that Jesus met with among "his that Jesus met with among "his own," those of his own people own," those of his own people who arrived at the point of who arrived at the point of condemning him to death on a condemning him to death on a cross. cross.

In speaking of In speaking of "righteousness,""righteousness," Jesus seems to have in mind that Jesus seems to have in mind that definitive righteousness which definitive righteousness which the Father will confer upon him the Father will confer upon him ("...because I go to the Father") in ("...because I go to the Father") in the resurrection and ascension the resurrection and ascension into heaven. into heaven.

In this context In this context "judgment""judgment" means that the Spirit of truth will means that the Spirit of truth will demonstrate the guilt of the demonstrate the guilt of the world in rejecting Christ, or more world in rejecting Christ, or more generally, in turning its back generally, in turning its back upon God. upon God. Judgment Day

Because Christ did not Because Christ did not come into the world to come into the world to judge and condemn it judge and condemn it

but to save it, but to save it, then in actual fact that then in actual fact that

"convincing the "convincing the world of sin" world of sin"

on the part of the on the part of the Spirit of truth must be Spirit of truth must be

understood as an understood as an intervention directed intervention directed to the salvation of the to the salvation of the

world, world, to the ultimate good of to the ultimate good of

humanity.humanity.

"Judgment""Judgment" refers particularly refers particularly to the to the

"prince of this world," "prince of this world," namely, Satan. namely, Satan.

From the very beginning he From the very beginning he tried to turn the work of tried to turn the work of

creation against the covenant creation against the covenant and union of man with God: and union of man with God:

knowingly he opposes knowingly he opposes salvation. salvation.

Therefore, he Therefore, he "is already "is already judged"judged" from the beginning. from the beginning.

(Encyclical (Encyclical Dominum et Dominum et VivificantemVivificantem (n. 27)). (n. 27)).  If the Holy Spirit, the If the Holy Spirit, the

Paraclete, is to convince the Paraclete, is to convince the world precisely of this world precisely of this

"judgment," undoubtedly he "judgment," undoubtedly he does so to continue Christ's does so to continue Christ's

work aimed at universal work aimed at universal salvation.salvation.

We can therefore conclude We can therefore conclude that in bearing witness to that in bearing witness to

Christ, Christ, the Paraclete is an the Paraclete is an

assiduous assiduous (though invisible) (though invisible)

advocate and defender of advocate and defender of the work of salvation, the work of salvation,

and of all those engaged in and of all those engaged in this work. this work.

He is also the guarantor of He is also the guarantor of the definitive triumph over the definitive triumph over

sin and over the world sin and over the world subjected to sin, subjected to sin,

in order to free it from sin in order to free it from sin and introduce it into the and introduce it into the

way of salvation.way of salvation.