In today’s Gospel, we hear the Lord speaking with His disciples at the Last Supper. He promises them, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth.” This promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, fifty days after the Resurrection. The Lord further reassured them, saying, “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” Today, the Holy Spirit remains the living presence of God within the Church. Though the Son returned to His Father’s house, God stays present among His disciples through the person of the Holy Spirit. 

I wish to reflect briefly on the Holy Spirit's presence and the name the Lord has given Him. The Lord states that the Holy Spirit will always remain with the disciples. His presence is permanent, like a faithful friend who never fails. During the Last Supper, the Lord told His disciples that He no longer called them servants, but friends—and He is the true friend who never abandons His own. 

Just as a loyal friend does not forsake us in times of trouble, the Holy Spirit remains with us always. This revelation should fill us with joy and hope; God never abandons us. The power of the Holy Spirit is constantly at work within us—a divine presence we need most in moments of trial and fear.

The Lord gives the Holy Spirit the name of Advocate, a term that carries two primary meanings: a comforter and a defense attorney. Just as the Lord comforted His disciples in moments of pain, uncertainty, fear, and grief, the Holy Spirit continues this sacred task with us today. The Lord’s farewell discourse at the Last Supper remains the greatest demonstration of His role as our primary Comforter. 

As I have mentioned, those words are not only literary masterpieces but are truly the most consoling words in this world. We should return to them often—not only to experience the Lord’s consolation, but to keep them alive in our hearts during moments of sadness. That night, the disciples were burdened by the pain of betrayal and the impending loss of a loved one, yet the Lord kindled hope within them through His presence and His words. The Holy Spirit does the same for us now: He comforts us with His presence and, through His divine action, helps us remember the words of the Lord.

The Holy Spirit is also our Defense Attorney. He stays within us to defend us against two things: our own hearts and the enemy. He defends us from ourselves because we can be our own harshest critics, often falling into discouragement when we fail. We can be grateful that the Holy Spirit lives in us to stand up for us against our own mistakes. Most importantly, He defends us from the Devil, whom Scripture calls 'The Accuser.' Despite his accusations, we have an Advocate in the Holy Spirit who is far more powerful. In this way, the Good Shepherd works within our souls through the Spirit—they are one, just as they are one in God. 

Today’s second reading recounts the origins of the Sacrament of Confirmation in the early Church. Confirmation is truly the Pentecost for each of us. We must always remember that we have received the Spirit of God, who remains present within us and is constantly at work in our lives.

Let us always give thanks to the Lord for loving us so deeply and for never abandoning us. Today, let us ask the Holy Spirit to help us sense His presence in our lives. May we truly experience His comforting grace and His constant defense.