Who Is the Paraclete?

Preparing for the Seventh Sunday of Easter: One Day before Sunday (Year B)

Scripture

Psalter: Psalm 47

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 34:1-7

Gospel: John 16:4-11

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Prayer

We thank you, heavenly Father, that you have delivered us from the dominion of sin and death and brought us into the kingdom of your Son; and we pray that, as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his love he may raise us to eternal joys; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer)

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Reflection

But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them.

“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you, but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because they do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, and you will see me no longer; about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned (John 16:4-11).

The term “Paraclete” in John’s Gospel has been translated into English in various ways, including “Comforter,” “Advocate,” “Helper,” and “Counselor.” This range of translations reflects the richness and complexity of the original Greek term παράκλητος (“paraklétos”), which carries multiple layers of meaning. The various English words use to translate paraklétos highlights that richness.