Sixth Sunday of Easter:C: 22nd May, 2022

 JESUS PROMISES PEACE AND THE HOLY SPIRIT

First Reading: Acts 15: 1-2 and 22-29

Second Reading: Apocalypse 21: 10-14 and 22-23

Gospel Reading: John 14: 23-29

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. The early Christian community faced many problems. The Apostles resolved them through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Many Gentiles (non-Jews) became believers in the Lord as result of the preaching of Paul and Barnabas. But the question was, how much of the Mosaic law was applicable to the new converts? The first council of the Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit gave a decision which was far reaching. The early Church decided that it is not the external circumcision that matters but rather the internal disposition of the heart that really matters. 

   *Second reading is from the book of Apocalypse. A description of the new Jerusalem - the heavenly Church- in all its glory  where God's kingdom will come in all its majesty and power is given. The imagery of the Holy city of Jerusalem as the bride of the Lamb points to the heavenly origin of the Church.

Jesus express His love and promises the Holy Spirit and peace                                                          Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. This is a part of the farewell discourse of Jesus at the Last Supper. At the onset of the discourse, Jesus expresses His love for His beloved disciples. In turn they are  asked to love Him by keeping His commandments. Then Jesus promises them the coming of the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit who will be sent by the Father. Jesus tells them that the Holy Spirit will teach them all things and bring to remembrance all that He Himself taught them. Finally Jesus promises them His peace. He gives the assurance that they are not to be afraid of anything or to be worried about anything because He is going to the Father. Jesus' unshakable faith in the Father is the basis and the source of the promised peace. Jesus offers the same peace to everyone who follows Him. Let the peace of the risen Lord remain in our hearts and minds which the world cannot give us. 

"When you find peace within yourself you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others." - M.K. Gandhi

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." - St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta