Sixth Sunday of Easter: A: May 14, 2023

JESUS PROMISES TO SEND THE HOLY SPIRIT

First Reading: Acts 8: 5-8 and 14-17

Second Reading: 1 Peter 3:  15-18

Gospel Reading: John 14: 15-21

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. A detailed account of the mission journey of Apostle Philip to Samaria is narrated. Philip proclaims the Word of God and the Samaritans receive the good news with great joy and enthusiasm. Many signs and wonders are manifested among the believers. Peter and John too go to Samaria and pray for the new converts and the Samaritans receive the Holy Spirit with great fervor. 

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Peter. Peter urges the Christian community to defend their faith with gentleness and reverence. He exhorts them to suffer for doing right in the eyes of God and not to indulge in any wrongdoings. He gives the great example of Christ Himself who died for the sins of all humankind. They too should be ready and willing to accept all sufferings for the sake of Christ our Lord. 

The Father will give you another Counselor                                                    Today's Gospel reading is from the Gospel of St. John. This is a part of the farewell discourse of Jesus to His disciples before His death on the cross. During the discourse, Jesus explains to them that to love Him is to keep His commandments and the one who loves Him will be loved by the heavenly Father which is a true manifestation of the love of Jesus. Further, Jesus assures His disciples of His continued presence among them through the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit indwelling within us who makes us experience the love of Jesus in our lives and helps us to be true followers of the Lord. Only the Holy Spirit can truly effect transformation in our lives. The teachings of Jesus are summarized in the commandment of love which is an expression of a disciple's total way of life. To live this commandment of love we need the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Jesus further instructs us about the indwelling presence of Himself and the Father. Hence today's Gospel gives us the following messages: 1. To love Jesus is to keep His commandment. 2. Jesus promises to be with His disciples through the gift of the Holy Spirit. 3. Jesus assures the disciples that the one who keeps the commandment will experience the indwelling presence of Jesus and the Father. 

"Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in love in a quiet, absolute and final way." - Pedro Arrupe SJ