And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever — this is the first explicit promise of the Paraclete (paraklētos—advocate, helper, counselor, Spirit of truth). The word "another" (allos) indicates that this Advocate is a different person than Jesus but of the same type and function; just as Jesus has been advocate and paraclete to the disciples, so the Spirit will be their ongoing advocate after Jesus' departure. The promise "to be with you forever" transforms what might be permanent loss into permanent presence through the Spirit.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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