My Paraclete

My week generally begins filled with the hope of all I set out to accomplish. Yet I generally only tick off less than half more, often than not. And whilst the solution seems simple: do less—it's because working in a parish means we respond, in real-time, to the needs of others. Yet we have a finite amount of time in the day, and I am sometimes not a good advocate for myself.

My office is a room we used to call the "fishbowl." Everyone who walks by inevitably stops and waves, or they come in and say hello. And I love that interaction with people. A work environment can sometimes feel impersonal—hence the current cultural reluctance to return. But our office has a different feel: community. We welcome parishioners and each other at our most joyous moments of marriage and baptism, and also in the depths of despair of losing loved ones, struggling families, and individual challenges. Thus my dilemma with my self-advocacy: publicly, to everyone around me—I want to be helpful and available.

Scripture for Pentecost describes the Holy Spirit as an advocate. I never really pictured the Holy Spirit that way! The definition is clear: the Holy Spirit acts as the advocate for Jesus in our lives. The Holy Spirit filled the disciples with advocacy for God's great mercy, and the Holy Spirit stays with us every day. Our Catholic faith enjoins upon us the care of others, and the Holy Spirit acts as our advocate by, with, through, and for God's great love and mercy for us. Being a good steward is to answer the call of Christ, knowing he will provide.