The Paraclete

C.S. Lewis has some observations on the distinctions among the British "Classes," a phrase that has never been successfully introduced into the U.S., despite the efforts of the Left. Lewis says the biggest differences in an educated Briton trying to discuss Christianity with an average Briton--by which he meant "proletariat intelligentsia," an intelligent, male, Englishman without university, probably RAF--were materialism, a profound distinction in language, and a scepticism toward history. Of the last, they were more likely to agree on generalities of prehistoric man because there was a scientific basis in those studies and observations than they were in the generalities of recorded time because they were more subject to human observational and recording error. So a Christian miracle or the Ressurection was doubted less because it was fantastic and more because its recording was less reliable.

Makes Fauci and Birks all the more understandable.

                                   The Paraclete

In the gospel today, Christ promises The Holy Spirit, The Paraclete, an advocate and helper in the world. Paraclete comes from the Greek meaning “one called to help," a more specific meaning than the original Aramaic which can mean any powerful personal assistance, including angels. He mixes this mystical concept with practical distilled-down advice: Keep my commandments: Love God and your neighbor.


Jesus said to his disciples:
“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 always,
the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept,
because it neither sees nor knows him.
But you know him, because he remains with you,
and will be in you.


So the Holy Spirit, in an unseeing and unhearing material world, will always be there, stilling "the hammer of chaos."


                      Abou Ben Adhem

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)

Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,

And saw, within the moonlight in his room,

Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,

An angel writing in a book of gold:—

Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,

And to the presence in the room he said,

"What writest thou?"—The vision raised its head,

And with a look made of all sweet accord,

Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord."

"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"

Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,

But cheerly still; and said, "I pray thee, then,

Write me as one that loves his fellow men."



The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night

It came again with a great wakening light,

And showed the names whom love of God had blest,

And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.

--Leigh Hunt