John 16:7, adapted and abridged
Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Easter
©️2021 Gloria M. Chang
Paraklétos is variously translated as Paraclete, Advocate, Intercessor, Consoler, Comforter, Helper, Strengthener, Standby, and Counselor. Paraclete, the Anglicized form of the Greek word, is used here to represent all possible translations.
Jesus said to Mary Magdalene, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
John 20:17 (ESV)
It is better for you that I go
so that the Paraclete will come to you.
Traditional Chinese Translation
《釋放聖靈》
我去是對你們更有益的，
這樣保惠師就會到你們這裡來。
Dear GMC, thank you for helping me pray as broadly as possible to the Holy Spirit. Dear Holy Spirit, as my Paraclete, Advocate, Intercessor, Consoler, Comforter, Helper, Strengthener, Standby, and Counselor let me surrender to God who is, to paraphrase Saint Augustine, closer to me than I am to myself. I never knew all these translations. They bring me such relief in prayer. GMC, you are a gift to us!
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. And he who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
-Romans 8:26-27 (RSV)
May the Holy Spirit animate your entire being!
Advocate, Intercessor, Consoler, Comforter, Helper, Strengthener, Standby, and Counselor.
In various ways the Holy Spirit,
bestows grace as is writ:
Like a lawyer when justice is due,
Like a drink that energizes you,
Like a crutch that helps us walk,
Like one who cheers us on,
Like a bodyguard for protection.
As the voice within during reflection.
Like a caregiver who watches over us.
As the warm shawl of love,
giving God hugs from above.
Holy Spirit, fall afresh on us!