παράκλητος

Jesus answered, “Whoever loves me will keep my word. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever doesn’t love me doesn’t keep my words. The word that you hear isn’t mine. It is the word of the Father who sent me. “I have spoken these things to you while I am with you. The Companion, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I told you. “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I give to you not as the world gives. Don’t be troubled or afraid. You have heard me tell you, ‘I’m going away and returning to you.’ If you loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than me. I have told you before it happens so that when it happens you will believe. (John 14:23-29, CEB)

Jesus says, “The Companion” will be sent. The word in the original language is παράκλητος, paraclete. It is a term that applies to the Holy Spirit, which Jesus says after the term in our reading today, it is often translated as advocate, helper, or comforter. In the translation above, it is translated as companion. Louw & Nida gives a definition of helper, encourager, or mediator.

So the paraclete is not something you wear to play sports, or a bird you might have as a pet. It is a companion, a helper, an encourager, a mediator, an advocate.

Someone who stands in the gap and helps you on the journey and keeps you connected to the things that allow you to be who you were/are created to be.

We all have a παράκλητος, maybe it is time we all be a παράκλητος.

Stand in the gap for those who are losing rights.
Be an encourager for those who are being made less than human.
Be a companion to those who seem to be alone.
Help those who are being held down.
Advocate for the last, least, lost, and little.

This is what Jesus calls us to do by keeping his word.

Love all the world and be a παράκλητος.

Loving People. Loving God.