SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
10 May 2026
Acts 8:5-8, 14-17/1 Pt 3:15-18/Jn 14:15-21
As Christ our Lord was about to depart from this world, he knew that his disciples were going to be persecuted by the Jews and that made their hearts troubled. They themselves were feeling vulnerable. Persecution was imminent and was sure to come. Jesus reassured them that they would not be alone.
In just two weeks, we will be celebrating the solemnity of Pentecost under the threat of the possibility of the Third World War. The super powers are each entangled in different armed conflicts with other countries. United States of America and Israel on one side are fighting Iran and Lebanon and Russia on the other side is fighting Ukraine. These wars have caused immense human suffering and have indirectly affected other nations across the globe. Apart from these threats, there are also some unbearable social and economic ills that are unsettling the hearts of many people in different nations. Confronted with these setbacks and many others, the Risen Lord does not want us to fall into despair or feel orphaned.
Christ our Lord comforts us and gives us hope as he says, I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you (Jn. 14:18). He promises us the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, or “he who is called to one’s side,” ad-vocatus” (CCC 692). The Lord refers to the Holy Spirit as another Advocate or Consoler. (cf Jn. 14:16). Christ himself is the First Advocate. St. John calls Jesus the Paraclete before the Father (1 Jn. 2:1), the One who comes to our defense against Satan.
If we want to be true disciples of Jesus, we should know and receive the Advocate who is the Spirit of Truth. In order for us to receive the Holy Spirit, we need to love Jesus Christ, and keep his commandments. We can truly keep the Lord’s commandments when we love one another just as he has loved us (Jn. 13:34).
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit should be the cause of great joy to all people of good will. St. Josemaría Escrivá enlightens us when he says, “the presence and the action of the Holy Spirit in the Church are a foretaste of eternal happiness, of the joy and peace for which we are destined by God” (Christ is passing by, no. 128). The presence of the Holy Spirit should confirm our faith and hope. We should not feel abandoned, deserted, orphaned or defenseless, the Lord continues to be with us.
Thus, as the world order continues to be in turmoil and besieged by warring nations, many innocent people dying and survivors being displaced, let us be comforted by the promise of the Lord who does not desert us but fulfills his promise to come to us (Jn. 14:18) and to be with us to end of times (Mt. 28:20).
As we prepare to celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost, we humbly ask the Lord to send us the Advocate, who “will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness” (Jn. 16:8). We pray that world leaders of warring nations who purport to love their nationals and their countries, may realize that true love of God is not limited to loving their nationals and their countries only while bombing other countries and killing innocent people, rather true love is found in the humility to engage in dialogue and work for sustainable peace.
May our Mother Mary who was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit intercede for us.