1. No category

Gospel acc. to John:
The Holy Spirit,
The Paraclete
Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.
Loyola Institute for Spirituality, Orange, CA
http://catholic-resources.org
Send Us Your Spirit – Dan Schutte
• Song published by O.C.P. Music
– Removed here for copyright reasons,
but available in many hymnals
2
Prayer Used at Vatican II
We stand before you, Holy Spirit, conscious of our sinfulness,
but aware that we gather in your name.
Come to us, remain with us, and enlighten our hearts.
Give us light and strength to know your will,
to make it our own, and to live it in our lives.
Guide us by your wisdom, support us by your power,
for you are God, sharing the glory of Father and Son.
You desire justice for all: enable us to uphold the rights of others;
do not allow us to be misled by ignorance or corrupted by fear or favor.
Unite us to yourself in the bond of love and keep us faithful to all that is true.
As we gather in your name may we temper justice with love,
so that all our discussions and reflections may be pleasing to you,
and earn the reward promised to good and faithful servants.
We ask this of You who live and reign with the Father and the Son,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Serenity Prayer


God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him forever in the next.
Amen.
--Reinhold Niebuhr
What Can We NOT Change?

THE PAST!
• Time only flows forward, not backward.

OTHER PEOPLE!
• We can sometimes change others
externally or physically
• But we CAN’T change what other people
think, or say, or do.
What CAN We Change?

OURSELVES
• How WE remember and think about the past.
• How WE react to what others say and do!

Our WORLD
• Our physical environment or space

Our ATTITUDES
• Glass half empty or half full?
Types of CHANGE

BIG Decisions / BIG Changes:
• Location; Career/Job; Family Status
• Religion? (Conversions to other faiths?)
• Life’s Goal / Overall Direction

DAILY Decisions / Small Changes:
• Virtues & Vices
• Attitudes & Actions
What is "spirit" / "Spirit"?
8
What is "spirit" / "Spirit"?
Defs. of "spirit" in English (from dictionary.com):
1. the
principle of conscious life; the vital principle in humans,
animating the body or mediating between body and soul.
2. the incorporeal part of humans: present in spirit though
absent in body.
3. the soul regarded as separating from the body at death.
4. conscious, incorporeal being, as opposed to matter:
the world of spirit.
5. a supernatural, incorporeal being, esp. one inhabiting a
place, object, etc., or having a particular character: evil
spirits.
9
Def. of "spirit/Spirit" (cont.)
a fairy, sprite, or elf.
7. an angel or demon.
8. an attitude or principle that inspires, animates, or pervades thought,
feeling, or action: the spirit of reform.
9. (initial capital letter) the divine influence as an agency working in the
human heart.
10. a divine, inspiring, or animating being or influence. Num. 11:25; Is. 32:15.
11. (initial capital letter) the third person of the Trinity; Holy Spirit.
12. the soul or heart as the seat of feelings or sentiments, or as prompting to
action: a man of broken spirit.
13. spirits, feelings or mood with regard to exaltation or depression: low
spirits; good spirits.
14. excellent disposition or attitude in terms of vigor, courage, firmness of
intent, etc.; mettle: That's the spirit!
6.
10
Def. of "spirit/Spirit" (cont.)
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
temper or disposition: meek in spirit.
an individual as characterized by a given attitude, disposition, character, action, etc.: A few brave spirits
remained to face the danger.
the dominant tendency or character of anything: the spirit of the age.
vigorous sense of membership in a group: college spirit.
the general meaning or intent of a statement, document, etc. (opposed to letter): the spirit of the law.
Chemistry. the essence or active principle of a substance as extracted in liquid form, esp. by distillation.
Often, spirits. a strong distilled alcoholic liquor.
Chiefly British. alcohol.
Pharmacology. a solution in alcohol of an essential or volatile principle; essence.
any of certain subtle fluids formerly supposed to permeate the body.
the Spirit, God. –adjective
pertaining to something that works by burning alcoholic spirits: a spirit stove.
of or pertaining to spiritualist bodies or activities. –verb (used with object)
to animate with fresh ardor or courage; inspirit.
to encourage; urge on or stir up, as to action.
to carry off mysteriously or secretly (often fol. by away or off): His captors spirited him away.
Idiom out of spirits, in low spirits; depressed: We were feeling out of spirits after so many days of rain.
[Origin: 1200–50; ME (n.) < L spīritus orig., a breathing, equiv. to spīri-,
comb. form repr. spīrāre to breathe + -tus suffix of v. action ]
11
"Spirit" in the Bible

Heb. Ruach & Gk. Pneuma refer to various things
– Root meaning: "moving air" = wind, breath, spirit
– Could be something natural, human, evil, or divine

Hebrew Bible: Ruach
– Translation of Gen 1:1-2?
– "In the beginning when God created the heavens and
the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness
covered the face of the deep, while RUACH from God
swept over the face of the waters." (wind? spirit?)
12
Jacques Tissot - Creation
13
"Spirit" in the Hebrew Bible

God’s Ruach as the basis of life
– "Then the LORD God formed man (Adam) from the
dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils
the breath of life; and the man became a living
being." (Gen 2:7)
– "Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to the breath,
prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says
the Lord GOD: Come from the four winds, O breath,
and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.’ "
(Ezek 37:9)
14
Ezekiel 37
Georg Weigel
15
"Spirit" in the Hebrew Bible

God’s Ruach with prophets, judges, kings
– "Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke
to him (Moses), and took some of the spirit that was
on him and put it on the seventy elders; and when
the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But
they did not do so again." (Num 11:25)


Note: "Prophecy" is not "predicting the future"
but rather "speaking on behalf of God"
Ruach on Judges & Kings: see esp. Jdg & 1 Sam
16
"Spirit" in the Hebrew Bible

God’s Ruach on the Messiah:
– “A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
– The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him,
– the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
– the spirit of counsel and might,
– the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD”
(Isaiah 11:1-2)
17
"Spirit" in the Bible

Greek Bible used by Early Christians:
– Old Testament (LXX) & New Testament

PNEUMA = any "moving air": wind, breath, spirit
– Cf. English "pneumonia" = illness of the lungs
– or "pneumatic" (air-powered) tools: drills, pumps…

Greek verbs pneo / ekpneo = "to breathe (out)“
– Used only in connection with Jesus’ death
18
"Pneuma" in the NT


Something in nature:
moving air, wind, breath
Something human, but from God:
spirit of adoption, spirit of faith, spirit of gentleness,
spirit of glory, spirit of grace, spirit of holiness,
spirit of life, spirit of power & love & self-discipline,
spirit of prophecy, spirit of wisdom and revelation,
spirit of your minds, spirits of the prophets,
spirits of the righteous, spirit of Elijah
19
"Pneuma" in the NT (cont.)

Something demonic:
– evil spirit, unclean spirit
– demonic spirit, foul spirit
– spirit of an unclean demon
– spirit of cowardice, spirit of divination
– spirit of error, spirit of slavery
– spirit of the antichrist
– spirit of the world, sluggish spirit
20
"Pneuma" in the NT (cont.)

Something divine:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit of God
Spirit of (our) God, Spirit of the Living God,
Spirit of the Lord, Spirit of your Father,
Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead,
Spirit of His Son, Spirit of Jesus
Spirit of Christ, Spirit of Jesus Christ
Spirit that is from God
Spirit of Truth, eternal Spirit
seven spirits of God (only in Rev 3)
21
Trinity from Mission Santa
Clara & by El Greco
22
Holy
Spirit?
Icon by
Andrei
Rublev
23
Trinity from Mission Santa
Clara
24
"Holy Spirit" in the Gospels
(see statistics table on handout)

Mark:
– "spirit" used 24 times, but "Holy Spirit" only 4 times

Matthew:
– "spirit" used 19x, but "Holy Spirit" only 5x

Luke + Acts:
– "spirit" used 36x + 70x; "Holy Spirit" used 13x + 41x
– "Holy Spirit" drives all the action (see handout)

John & 1 John:
– "Holy Spirit" 3x; "Spirit of Truth" 4x; "Paraclete" 5x
25
"Holy Spirit" in the Gospels
26
"Holy Spirit" in MARK


1:8 – [John the Baptist]: "I have baptized you with water; but he will
baptize you with the Holy Spirit." (cf. Matt 3:11; Luke 3:16)
1:10 – And just as [Jesus] was coming up out of the water, he saw the
heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.
(cf. Matt 3:16; Luke 3:22)


3:28b-29a – "Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never
have forgiveness..." (Matt 12:32; Luke 12:10)
12:35-36 – "How can the scribes say that the Messiah is the son of
David? / David himself, by the Holy Spirit, declared, ‘The Lord said to
my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet." ’ "
(cf. Matt 22:43; shorter in Luke 12:42)

13:11 – "When they bring you to trial and hand you over, do not worry
beforehand about what you are to say; but say whatever is given you at
that time, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit."
(cf. Matt 10:20; Luke 12:12)
27
"Holy Spirit" more in MATT.

1:18-20 – Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way.
When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they
lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. / …
an angel of the Lord appeared to [Joseph] in a dream and said, "Joseph,
son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child
conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit."

12:27-28 – "If I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own
exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. / But if it is
by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God
has come to you." (Luke 11:20 has "finger of God")

28:19 – "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,…"
28
Holy Spirit in LUKE’s Gospel

With John the Baptist:
– Angel Gabriel says: “Even before his birth, he will be
filled with the Holy Spirit” (1:15); …he will act “with
the spirit and power of [the prophet] Elijah” (1:17)
– the child grows and becomes “strong in spirit” (1:80).

With Mary:
– Gabriel tells Mary how she will conceive Jesus:
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the
power of the Most High will overshadow you”
(1:35; part of the “Annunciation”).
29
Annunciation – J. Tissot
30
Holy Spirit in Luke (cont.)

With Elizabeth:
– When Mary visits her pregnant older cousin,
Elizabeth is "filled with the Holy Spirit" (1:41).

In Mary’s Song of Praise:
– The Magnificat: "My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior" (1:46-47).

With Zechariah:
– After the birth of John the Baptist, his father is "filled
with the Holy Spirit" and utters a prophecy (1:67).
31
Holy Spirit in Luke (cont.)

Simeon:
– In Jerusalem, "the Holy Spirit rested on" a righteous
man named Simeon (2:25)
– The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would
not die before seeing the Messiah (2:26)
– So the Spirit guides him to the Temple, where he
encounters the infant Jesus and his parents (2:27).
32
Holy Spirit in Luke (cont.)

Preparing for Jesus:
– John the Baptist contrasts himself and Jesus:
"I baptize you with water; but one who is more
powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie
the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with
the Holy Spirit and fire." (3:16)

Baptism of Jesus:
– After Jesus is baptized, "the Holy Spirit descended
upon him in bodily form like a dove" (3:22).
33
Baptism of
Jesus
(Luke 3)
Jacques Tissot
34
Holy Spirit in Luke (cont.)

Temptation of Jesus:
– Before beginning his public ministry, "Jesus, full of
the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was
led by the Spirit in the wilderness" (4:1), where he
is tempted by the devil.

Jesus begins his Ministry:
– After resisting the devil's temptations in the desert,
Jesus returns to Galilee "filled with the power of
the Spirit" (4:14), and begins preaching.
35
Holy Spirit in Luke (cont.)

"Inaugural Event" in synagogue at Nazareth:
– Visiting his hometown, Jesus reads from the
scroll of the prophet Isaiah: "The Spirit of the
Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor" (4:18)
– After finishing the reading, Jesus declares,
"Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your
hearing" (4:21), implying that he is indeed the
Prophet & Messiah, enlivened by God's Spirit.
36
Jesus at
Nazareth
(Luke 4)
Jacques Tissot
37
Holy Spirit in Luke (cont.)

Review of material so far:
– All from the first four chapters of Luke.
– H.S. is with Elizabeth, Mary, Zechariah, Simeon,
and John the Baptist
– Holy Spirit is with Jesus, at the beginning

FEW refs to the Holy Spirit in the rest of Luke!
– Why not?

Holy Spirit is now working in/through Jesus.
– Not an independent character, until later!
38
Holy Spirit in Luke (cont.)

Jesus’ Public Ministry:
– Jesus casts many "unclean spirits" and "evil spirits"
out of various people (4:33, 36; 6:18; 7:21; 8:2; 8:29;
9:39, 42; 10:20; 11:24, 26; 13:11).
– After seventy disciples return from their mission,
Jesus "rejoiced in the Holy Spirit" and thanks God
for hiding things from the wise but revealing them to
infants (10:21).
39
Holy Spirit in Luke (cont.)

Jesus teaches his disciples about the H.S.:
– Teaching about prayer: "If you then, who are evil, know
how to give good gifts to your children, how much more
will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who
ask him!" (11:13).
– In response to criticism from his opponents: "Everyone
who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be
forgiven; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit
will not be forgiven" (12:10).
– Don’t worry if put on trial, "for the Holy Spirit will teach
you at that very hour what you ought to say" (12:12).
40
Holy Spirit in Luke (cont.)

Death of Jesus:
– The final words of Jesus on the cross (in Luke):
“Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said,
‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’
Having said this, he breathed his last”
(Luke 23:46 – exepneusen).
41
Holy Spirit in Luke (cont.)

Appearances of the Risen Jesus:
– When Jesus appears to his disciples, they are at first
afraid, thinking that they were seeing a ghost / spirit
(24:37).
– But Jesus assures them he is not a ghost / spirit, but
can be seen and touched, since he has flesh and bones
(24:39).

Ascension of Jesus:
(add to handouts)
– Jesus tells his disciples to await "what my Father
promised," namely "power from on high" (24:49).
42
Holy Spirit in Luke: Review

Very often in the Infancy Narrative
– Elizabeth, Mary, Zechariah, Simeon, J.B.

Often at the start of Jesus’ ministry
– Baptism, Temptations, Inaugural Preaching

With/in Jesus throughout his ministry
– Implicit, not explicit; in his teachings

Given back to God when Jesus dies
– “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”
43
Send Us Your Spirit – David Haas
• Song published by G.I.A. Music
– Removed here for copyright reasons,
but available in many hymnals
44
Holy Spirit in ACTS

The Acts of the Apostles?
– Vol. 2, sequel to Luke’s Gospel (see Acts 1:1)
– Similar themes & emphases as Luke’s Gospel
– Prayer, Praise, Preaching, Poor, Healings, Meals…

The Acts of the Holy Spirit?
– As in Luke's Gospel, the Spirit of God inspires and
guides most of the action in Acts.
– Disciples depicted just like Jesus, filled w/ God’s Spirit
– This book could be called "The Acts of the Holy Spirit"
45
Holy Spirit in ACTS (cont.)

Author (Luke) tells us that Jesus gave instructions
to his chosen apostles "through the Holy Spirit"
– Acts 1:2

The disciples are "baptized with the Holy Spirit"
on the day of Pentecost
– Event promised by Jesus in 1:5, 8
– Event narrated by the Evangelist in 2:1-4
– Event recalled by Peter in 11:15-16
46
Pentecost
(Acts 2)
Gustave Doré
47
Pentecost – Wind? Spirit?
48
Pentecost Event in ACTS 2
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one
place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush
of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.
3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue
rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound
the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language
of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how
is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of
Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts
of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs-in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power."
12 All
were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?"
13 But others sneered and said, "They are filled with new wine."
49
Holy Spirit in ACTS (cont.)

The apostles are "full of" or "filled with" the Holy
Spirit, esp. when they preach
– 1:8; 2:4; 4:8, 31; 11:24; 13:9, 52

The Spirit "speaks to" the apostles and prophets
– 8:29; 10:19; 11:12; 13:1-4; 21:11

Deacons/ministers must also be "full of the Spirit"
(6:1-6), esp. when they prophesy
– 6:10; 7:55-59; 11:28; 21:4

Just as H.S. spoke through King David and the
prophets in ancient Israel (1:16; 4:25; 28:25).
50
Holy Spirit in ACTS (cont.)

God "will pour out" his Spirit on all people and all
nations in the last days
– 2:17-18, 33; 10:45

Believers, including Gentiles, receive the Holy
Spirit when they repent and are baptized
– 2:38; 15:8; 19:5-6

Sometimes the reception of the Holy Spirit even
precedes baptism (see 10:44-48)
51
Peter & Cornelius (Acts 10)
52
Holy Spirit in ACTS 10


Peter in the Household of Cornelius (Roman Centurion)
44 While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon
all who heard the word. 45 The circumcised believers who
had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the
Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles,
46 for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling
God. Then Peter said, 47 "Can anyone withhold the water
for baptizing these people who have received the Holy
Spirit just as we have?" 48 So he ordered them to be
baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited
him to stay for several days.
53
Holy Spirit in ACTS (cont.)

Some people "test" or "lie to" or "oppose" the Holy
Spirit, with dire consequences
– 5:1-11; 7:51

Spirit is conferred through the "laying on of hands"
– 8:17-19; 9:17; 19:6

The Spirit leads and guides the decisions and
actions of the Christian leaders
– 15:28; 16:6-7; 19:21; 20:22-23
54
"Spirit" in the Bible

Heb. Ruach & Gk. Pneuma refer to various things
– Root meaning: "moving air" = wind, breath, spirit
– Could be something natural, human, evil, or divine

Hebrew Bible: Ruach
– Translation of Gen 1:1-2?
– "In the beginning when God created the heavens and
the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness
covered the face of the deep, while RUACH from God
swept over the face of the waters." (wind? spirit?)
55
"Spirit" in the Bible

Greek Bible used by Early Christians:
– Old Testament (LXX) & New Testament

PNEUMA = any "moving air": wind, breath, spirit
– Cf. English "pneumonia" = illness of the lungs
– or "pneumatic" (air-powered) tools: drills, pumps…

Greek verbs pneo / ekpneo = "to breathe (out)“
– Used only in connection with Jesus’ death
56
"Pneuma" in the NT


Something in nature:
moving air, wind, breath
Something human, but from God:
spirit of adoption, spirit of faith, spirit of gentleness,
spirit of glory, spirit of grace, spirit of holiness,
spirit of life, spirit of power & love & self-discipline,
spirit of prophecy, spirit of wisdom and revelation,
spirit of your minds, spirits of the prophets,
spirits of the righteous, spirit of Elijah
57
"Pneuma" in the NT (cont.)

Something demonic:
– evil spirit, unclean spirit
– demonic spirit, foul spirit
– spirit of an unclean demon
– spirit of cowardice, spirit of divination
– spirit of error, spirit of slavery
– spirit of the antichrist
– spirit of the world, sluggish spirit
58
"Pneuma" in the NT (cont.)

Something divine:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit of God
Spirit of (our) God, Spirit of the Living God,
Spirit of the Lord, Spirit of your Father,
Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead,
Spirit of His Son, Spirit of Jesus
Spirit of Christ, Spirit of Jesus Christ
Spirit that is from God
Spirit of Truth, eternal Spirit
seven spirits of God (only in Rev 3)
59
"Holy Spirit" in the Gospels
(see statistics table on handout)

Mark:
– "spirit" used 24 times, but "Holy Spirit" only 4 times

Matthew:
– "spirit" used 19x, but "Holy Spirit" only 5x

Luke + Acts:
– "spirit" used 36x + 70x; "Holy Spirit" used 13x + 41x
– "Holy Spirit" drives all the action (see handout)

John & 1 John:
– "Holy Spirit" 3x; "Spirit of Truth" 4x; "Paraclete" 5x
60
“Spirit” in JOHN’s Gospel

Meanings of pneuma:
–
–
–
–
–


“wind” (John 3:8)
animating force of human life (3:6)
Jesus’ own life force (11:33; 13:21; 19:30)
something Jesus gives the disciples (20:22)
something coming from God (1:32-33; 3:5-8; 15:26)
“Holy Spirit” rare in John (only 3x; cf. Luke/Acts)
“Spirit of Truth” only in Jn 14:17; 15:26; 16:13; 1 Jn 4:6
61
“HOLY SPIRIT” in John

“Holy Spirit” present 3x in Fourth Gospel:
– near beginning (Jesus’ baptism; 1:32-33)
– middle (Last Supper discourse; 14:26)
– end (first appearance of risen Jesus; 20:22)

Curious that “Spirit” not mentioned in Prologue
– Yet “Logos” in John 1:1-5 has much the same role as
the “Spirit” in the creation accounts of Gen 1—2
62
“PARACLETE” in John

Greek parakaleo (“to call to one’s side”)
– Verb occurs often in NT, esp. Paul’s letters

Related noun parakletos only in John and 1 John
– Translations? Counselor, Comforter, Advocate, etc.


Outside NT: parakaleo and parakletos used
mostly in juridical/courtroom contexts
Holy Spirit is “another Advocate” (John 14:16)
– Implies Jesus was the first “Advocate “ (cf. 1 John 2:1)
– Thus, the Paraclete does same things as Jesus
63
“PARACLETE” in John
64
Roles of the “PARACLETE”





Companion – will be with disciples “forever” after
Jesus is gone (14:16-18; cf. 1 John 3:24; 4:13)
Teacher – will “remind” disciples about Jesus’ own
words & teachings (14:26)
Legal witness – will give “testimony” about Jesus to
the disciples & world (15:26)
Judge – will “convict” (or “convince”?) the world
“about sin & righteousness & judgment” (16:8-11)
Revealer – will “guide” disciples to “truth” about God
and Jesus (16:13-15; cf. 1 John 5:6-8)
65
Texts with “PARACLETE”
14:14-17 – “If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
/ 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 forever. / This is the Spirit of
truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither
sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he
abides with you, and he will be in you.”
14:25-26 – “I have said these things to you while I am still with
you. / But the ADVOCATE, the Holy Spirit, whom the
Father will send in my name, will teach you everything,
and remind you of all that I have said to you.”
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Texts with “PARACLETE”
15:26-27 – “When the ADVOCATE comes, whom I will
send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who
comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. / You
also are to testify because you have been with me from
the beginning.”
16:7 – “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.”
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Questions for Reflection

Is Paraclete sent by the Father (John 14:16;
14:26) or by Jesus himself (15:26; 16:7)?

Why can’t the world “receive” the Spirit/
Paraclete (14:17)?

Why can’t the Spirit/ Paraclete be sent until
after Jesus’ departure (16:7)?

What’s the relationship between Holy Spirit
and forgiveness of sins (20:21-23)?
68
East Trinity vs. West Trinity
Father
Father
(Creator)
(Creator)
Son
(Savior)
Son
Spirit
(Life-giver)
(Savior)
Spirit
(Life-giver)
69
East vs. West
70
Holy Spirit in

US
Today?
Is the Holy Spirit present within us? How?
– Just like in the Apostles, as depicted in Acts?
– In our Preaching, Teaching, Healing, etc.?
– In the Charismatic Movement?

Evidence of God’s Spirit within us:
– Not just from Luke or Acts, but also from Paul
71
Trinity Symbols – by Rudolf Koch
72
"Holy Spirit" in the Creeds

Apostles’ Creed

Nicene Creed
(10th Century):
– I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
(Council of Nicea (AD 325 - online)
– We believe in one God the Father Almighty…
– and in one Lord Jesus Christ (ca. 10 more lines)
– and in the Holy Spirit. (end; nothing more!)
73
Creed of Nicea/Constantinople

Council of Constantinople
(AD 381):
– And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father [and the Son],
who together with the Father and the Son is to be
adored and glorified, who spoke by the Prophets.
And one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.
We confess one baptism for the remission of sins.
And we look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
74
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Part I, Section 2, Chapter 3, Article 8 (In Brief)
CCC (1983 - online): Part I, Section 2, Chapter 3:
– Article 8 (par. 683-747); Articles 9-12 (par. 748-1060)
742 "Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his
Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!"' (Gal 4:6).
743 From the beginning to the end of time, whenever God
sends his Son, he always sends his Spirit: their mission is
conjoined and inseparable.
744 In the fullness of time the Holy Spirit completes in Mary all
the preparations for Christ's coming among the People of
God. By the action of the Holy Spirit in her, the Father gives
the world Emmanuel "God-with-us" (Matt 1:23).
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Catechism of the Catholic Church
Part I, Section 2, Chapter 3, Article 8 (In Brief)
745 The Son of God was consecrated as Christ (Messiah) by the
anointing of the Holy Spirit at his Incarnation (cf. Ps 2:6-7).
746 By his Death and his Resurrection, Jesus is constituted in
glory as Lord and Christ (cf. Acts 2:36). From his fullness,
he poured out the Holy Spirit on the apostles and the
Church.
747 The Holy Spirit, whom Christ the head pours out on his
members, builds, animates, and sanctifies the Church. She
is the sacrament of the Holy Trinity's communion with men.
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The Spirit Sends Us Forth
• Song by Dolores Dufner, OSB
• Published by Oregon Catholic Press (OCP)
– Removed here for copyright reasons, but
available in many OCP Hymnals
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Additional Resources:

Fr. Just’s "Catholic Resources" Website:
– Several pages on the "Holy Spirit" in the NT
– http://catholic-resources.org

Audio CD-Programs from Now You Know Media
–
–
–
–
The New Testament: A Guided Tour
The Lectionary: A Treasure for Liturgy & Prayer
What Is Faith? Gift, Mystery, Life!
A Retreat with the Gospel of John
(also with Matthew / Mark / Luke)
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Your Comments / Questions?

God’s Spirit / Holy Spirit / Paraclete in John?

Presence of God’s Holy Spirit today?
–
–
–
–

In our individual lives?
In our families and communities?
In our Church, local and worldwide?
In our nation and the whole world?
Thanks for coming! God bless you!
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For Your Prayer & Reflection

In what ways do you need the Holy Spirit to be a
“Paraclete”, to be “at your side”, to assist you?

In John’s thought, JESUS was the first Paraclete,
the Holy Spirit of God is “another” Paraclete, but
we also are to be “Paraclete” for others:
In what ways do we accompany/assist others?