Fifty days since the resurrection – these weeks where we have heard witness accounts of Jesus proving to be who he says he is: the Son of God who overcame death; the Good Shepherd who has not lost anyone whom the Father has given to him; the Consoler to Mary Magdelene and the other apostles who were unsure of how accurate this truth can be. Today, fifty days later we receive another promise from the Lord: the Holy Spirit, the other Paraclete.  

I say the other Paraclete because Jesus himself has this role and he promises more. The Paraclete is promised to all of us as a comforter, an advocate, an inspirer to give us the courage and grace necessary to listen, to trust, to be an active partner in our relationship with God. Participation in Church is an avenue for this in a variety of ways. It is in fact in participating that we become Church as Church is more than simply walls and structure. All of us are given gifts, talents, and abilities that are unique and necessary in being and becoming Church.  

This is where another dimension of the other Paraclete comes forth – the Holy Spirit as an encourager, a cheerleader. I am inspired by a sermon by Gerard Manley Hopkins in this regard:  

“A Paraclete is one who comforts, who cheers, who encourages, who persuades, who exhorts, who stirs up, who urges forward, who calls on; what the spur and word of command is to a horse, what clapping of hands is to a speaker, what a trumpet is to the soldier, that a Paraclete is to the soul: one who calls us on, that is what it means, a Paraclete is one who calls us on to good.” 

As Church today in all its various hues, we need greater encouragement to dare hope that there is place for all of us. Perhaps we can take some time this week to reflect on how this Paraclete is working in our lives, cheering us on and inspiring us to not only find our place but also to create space for others.  

 - Sonal Castelino, xmcj