May 22, 2022: Sixth Sunday of Easter

Gospel: John 14:23-29

Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me.

“I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe.”

Reflection

One of the most consoling promises Jesus made to his disciples and continues to make to us is his gift of the Holy Spirit. In two weeks, we will be celebrating the bestowal of that Gift on the disciples and us.

How can our hearts be troubled or afraid if we live on the constant reliance of the presence of Jesus’ Holy Spirit bringing us peace and reminding us of all that Jesus has said and done?

Action

During these last weeks of Paschal time, can we ask for the gift or remembering the presence of the Holy Spirit within us and make the effort to rely more deeply on the power of that love for ourselves and others?