P is for Paraclete

Many a confused person has heard the Holy Spirit referred to as “the paraclete,” thought that the person using the term had said “parakeet,” and wondered why it is that the third person of the Trinity is depicted in art as a dove instead. The word “paraclete” means “advocate” or “counselor,” and refers to the role of the Holy Spirit when it comes to our relationship with God. As Jesus tells his disciples in John 14:26, “The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name--he will teach you everything and remind you of all that (I) told you.”