Chapter 14 of John’s Gospel is commonly described as a farewell discourse. What we have heard is a continuation of Jesus’ parting words which presents a theme of departure. This is the time when Jesus prepares his disciples of his departure from the earth and us. His disciples must have been devastated learning of his imminent departure. This is one of the most poignant moments in the life of the early church and also, in our liturgical lives. The pandemic robbed us of the Eucharist. And yet, he never missed  to provide them comfort and assurance that it shouldn’t have been a reason for the baffled followers to disperse and to disintegrate, let alone a cause of fear and alarm.

The parting words is the promise of divine presence. This time, Jesus told the disciples that he would ask the Father to give another advocate to be with us always, the spirit of truth. An advocate is an intercessor, comforter, counselor, mediator, interpreter, a helper close at hand, a guide. The role of the Paraclete is to continue the growth of the persecuted and suffering community, to bear fruit. If this is the role and the job of the advocate, the spirit of truth, the world should not be hostile and unbelieving. The response is that because the world neither sees nor knows him. If the Johannine gospel was completed towards the end of the 1 ^st century, members possibly, have not seen Jesus face to face. This passage was an attempt to make sense of the situation. This story can be described as an emotion-filled departure as the case may always be but also opens up new windows of opportunity in life. 

Jesus said, I will ask the Father and he will send you another advocate to be with you always. Paraclete is a special function and there’s no translation. The Paraclete is the Advocate, the one who provides encouragement, a cheerleader, the defender, the  comforter (the one who brings comfort), the counselor (the one who gives you counsel), the intercessor (the one who pleads for you), the mediator (the interface between God and humanity), the interpreter (the one who enlightens you), instructor (the one who offers instructions when we find ourselves off the track), the consoler (the one who stands and stays with you when everyone deserts you), a helper close at hand and a guide, of course. As the advocate, he will make sure the distressed and the overwhelmed disciples hold fast to Jesus’ teaching. The paraclete will be the one in-charge of establishing continuity. The Holy Spirit will replace Jesus’ physical presence.

This advocate is the spirit of truth whom the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows him. The paraclete is the spirit of truth, the spirit that communicates truth. The spirit of truth is the ongoing presence of the revelation of God in the world. In our daily spiritual exercises, the Spirit will continue to lead us into a greater and deeper understanding of the mystery of Jesus and thereby, make it come alive for us. Amen.