Sixth Sunday of Easter A: May 14, 2023

In today’s gospel from John, Jesus emphasizes again that the only thing necessary for life is to love Jesus, and if we do, we will observe his commandments. It seems so simple. Of course, the key thing is the way we do love Jesus. That is the crucial thing for salvation. Next, Jesus tells us that we will not be left orphans, that is fatherless, or without the Lord as our Leader or Rabbi. He says that he will leave us for a while and then be with us again. He will die and then rise to life again in a new way. And we will be alive in a new way also. He tells us that he will go to his Father, but will leave us an Advocate, or in Greek, a Paraclete.

Just what is this Advocate? In Greek, Paraclete is a legal term; it means a person who ‘is called in;’ but it is the reason that the person is called in that gives the word that give the word its distinctive implications. The term is used in a variety of ways. A Paraclete or advocate might be called into court to give witness in someone's favor; or the advocate might be called in to plead one’s cause when the person is charge with some serious crime; or the advocate might be an expert called in to give advice in a difficult situation. An advocate might be called in to help when a person is depressed, troubled or in doubt or bewilderment. In Jesus case this Advocate is the Holy Spirit who will teach us all things and how to cope with all things. The Holy Spirit comes to us and takes away our inadequacies and enables us to cope with life. The Spirit substitutes victorious for defeated living.

So what Jesus is saying is this: ‘I am setting you a hard task, and I am sending you into a situation that is very difficult. But I am sending you an advocate who will guide you in what to do and who will make you able to do it. Notice, not just to tell us what to do, but to make us able to do it.

No doubt, at this point the disciples are only concentrating on the fact that Jesus would leave them. They really cannot hear the rest of his message of love and concern; more that concern, but telling who he will be with them and care for them. They only hear the word, orphan, and do not take in resurrection or being sent a wonderful Paraclete, advocate, one who takes care of and enables them to really be alive. But after the resurrection they did hear it; most of all, we hear it.

So, in this passage, Jesus shares with us several things that are never far from his mind. Things that have been his message from the beginning. First and foremost, Jesus is love. Love is the basis for all things. It is not just sentimental love, but love with purpose, love that gives all, love that costs us to give. Jesus so wants us to know that he loves each of us; and he wants us to love one another just as he loves us; enough to suffer for, but up with as we are, and even die for us. This love is not just to feel good and be satisfied that we have done good, but rather to have place ourselves on the line for someone. Second, the proof of our love for Jesus is that we are obedient to his word and commandments. Remember, that commandment is a new commandment: to love one another as I have loved you. This is our new life which Jesus gives us. This love leads us to ultimate safety: on the day Jesus comes again, all who are lovingly obedient to Jesus are safe in a fading world. Also, this love leads us to everlasting life with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We, ourselves can be this love and this advocate:

There is a touching story told of a humble, consecrated pastor, whose young son had become very ill. After the boy had undergone an exhaustive series of tests, the father was told the shocking news that his son had a terminal illness. The youngster had accepted Christ as his Savior, so the minister knew that death would usher him into glory; but he wondered how to inform one in the bloom of youth that soon he would die. After earnestly seeking the direction of the Holy Spirit, he went with a heavy heart through the hospital ward to the boy’s bedside. First, he read a passage of Scripture and had a time of prayer with his dear child. Then he gently told him that the doctors could promise him only a few more days to live. “Are you afraid to meet Jesus, my boy?” asked his devout father.
Blinking away a few tears, the little fellow said bravely, “No, not if He’s like you, Dad!”