REFLECTIONS

Jesus is preparing his disciples for the time when he will no longer be physically present among them. He promises that the Father will send them the Holy Spirit, ‘another Advocate’, to be with them for ever. ‘Advocate’ is a legal term. An advocate is one who pleads our cause in court, who speaks on our behalf, who utters the words that we cannot. who stands besides us in very difficult situations.

As we give thanks for the Holy Spirit who is our Advocate, we recognise that we in turn are called to be advocates for those people in our community who cannot speak for themselves. there are many organisations, often inspired by the Gospels, that are involved in advocacy – for refugees, for women and children being trafficked, for the mentally ill, the unborn and the aged who are unable to plead their own cause. And as St. Peter reminds us in today’s second reading, we are also called to be advocates for Christ by having an answer ready for people who ask us the reason for the hope we have. Let us remember that it is always the witness of our lives and our own personal stories, rather than complex theological doctrines, that attract people to Christ.