The Advocate

Jesus said to his disciples:  "Now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, 'Where are you going?'  But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts.  But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go.  For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you.  But if I go, I will send him to you.  And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation:  sin, because they do not believe in me; righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned." John 16: 5 – 11

You can tell that we are getting closer to the Ascension as Jesus keeps referring to “his going away.”  Jesus promised to send an Advocate – the Spirit who will continually guide us.  As I reflected on this passage I was struck by the fact that we have many “Advocates” in our lives – those who have walked with us and showed us the way.  Perhaps today is a good day to thank our God for the gift of our special Advocates.  Each one of us has the potential to be an Advocate for another person.  Let us always be open to fulfilling that role for others knowing that we are responding as Jesus would have.

Pat Schifini, OSU