The Advocate: Who and Why—Your Weekly Reflection
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When we joined you in reflection last week, Jesus’ disciples were confused and fearful. They struggled to understand Jesus’ relationship with the Father and feared his words alluding to Jesus’ death. Today’s Gospel returns to this very moment in the Book of John. To ease the minds of his disciples, Jesus speaks of the Advocate they will soon receive.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always,” says Jesus.
The Advocate Jesus speaks of is the Holy Spirit. Jesus seeks to help his disciples understand that even though he will soon join the Father, he remains with them always through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus also speaks of the Holy Spirit as a guide, helping them better understand their relationship with the Father.
We can relate to the disciples understanding of the Holy Spirit as the Advocate. When we think of the meaning of an advocate in today’s context, we think of someone whose presence is confident, pure intentioned, trustworthy, even unifying.
At CMMB, we can think of advocacy in so many relevant terms. We think of community health workers, who are moved by the hardships and hopes of their neighbors to selflessly share the gift of health. We think of our skilled volunteers, who journey to unfamiliar places to help guide and train the next generation of local health workers. And on this Mother’s Day, we think of the loving expectant women around the world, who do whatever it takes to give their babies the healthiest start in life—and a future to believe in.
If you have a special mother figure in your life, honor them today with our free, downloadable Mother’s Day card.
As we continue into this new week, let us find inspiration in knowing that the Holy Spirit is the Advocate within us all—and gratitude for the advocates in our lives who reveal God’s good intentions—and expectations. Together, may we endeavor to fulfill the promise of health for mothers and children throughout the world we share.