"If you love Me and obey the commands I give you,
I will ask the Father and He will give you another Paraclete —
to be with you always:
the Spirit of truth."
John 14:15-17
•••
A paraclete is someone who helps us,
usually in the context of a legal trial.
For example,
a paraclete could be a lawyer or
a witness on our behalf.
A paraclete must be convincing
to the judge or jury,
or he would not help us win
the case.
However,
the Paraclete Whom the Father sends us is not accepted by the world
"since it neither sees Him nor recognizes Him"
(Jn 14:17).
Therefore,
the Paraclete,
the Holy Spirit,
might not help us win our case on earth.
Rather,
He is with us and within us
so we will have the strength to remain faithful when
unjustly persecuted and
condemned
(Jn 14:17).
While we lose our case on earth,
we will be more than conquerors
in life
(Rm 8:37).
Though we may be condemned rather than acquitted on earth,
the Paraclete,
the Holy Spirit,
will make us holy so that,
on the final Judgment Day,
Jesus the Judge will give the verdict:
"Well done!
You are a good and faithful servant!" (Mt 25:21, our transl)
"Come.
You have My Father's blessing!
Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world"
(Mt 25:34).
Come,
Holy Spirit, the Paraclete!
Help us be acquitted in
the final judgment,
even though we may be
condemned in this world's trial.
•••