The Comforter (16th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Click here for this Sunday’s Readings

Click here for this Sunday’s Old Testament Reflection (Justice and Mercy)

This Sunday’s epistle reading is a continuation of St. Paul’s discourse on the work of the Spirit in the lives of believers. We have already seen how it is necessary for the Spirit to be in us to enable us to believe in Christ and to overcome our natural desire to indulge in the lusts of the flesh (See: Flesh Versus Spirit).

Here, St. Paul explains how we need the help of the Spirit not only at the beginning of the Christian Life, but also as we go through it day by day. As we are constantly assailed by trials, tribulations and temptations, the Spirit enables us to withstand the attacks of the world, the flesh and the devil. The Spirit also teaches us how we are to pray to God, and intercedes for us before the Lord.

In this way, the Holy Spirit exemplifies the role which Jesus denotes with the word Paraclete (from the Greek verb parakaleо̄, meaning “to encourage/strengthen”). This word is translated in various English translations as Comforter, Helper, Counsellor and Advocate. All these encapsulate what it means for the Holy Spirit to strengthen or encourage believers.

The Holy Spirit, which comes to us through Baptism, becomes present to us in a fuller way through Confirmation. Through the laying on of hands, we experience a greater presence of the Spirit, Whom as the old Baltimore Catechism says, “helps us to live our faith loyally and to profess it courageously.”

Thus, in reflecting on this passage, we gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the Spirit’s abiding presence in our lives, and are encouraged to always seek His aid in all the circumstances of our lives.

J. Luis Dizon