Paraclete

I shall ask the Father

and he will give you another Paraclete

to be with you forever.

(John 14:16)

This is the first of five times in John's Gospel that Jesus uses the name "Paraclete" to refer to the Holy Spirit.  The Greek word means one who is "called to the side of" another.  "Advocate" and "Helper" are possible English translations.  After Jesus withdraws from their sight the Paraclete will stay with the disciples forever.  The Paraclete is the link between the historical ministry of Jesus and the future life of the Church after the death and resurrection of Jesus.  The love of God made known in the Incarnation continues to enliven the communities of believers through the gift of the Paraclete.