6TH SUNDAY OF EASTER
6TH SUNDAY OF EASTER YEAR A
1st Reading: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17
2nd Reading: 1 Peter 3:15-18
Gospel: John 14:15-21
THEME: “IF YOU LOVE ME KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS”
Jesus today in the Gospel reading tell us that one of the ways we will show that we love him is by keeping his commandments. In life we observe that when two people are in love, they try to please each other; they try to make each other happy by doing what each person likes. For example if a man is in love with a woman he will try his best to please her. For example if she doesn’t like lies or drinking he will try and avoid telling lies or drinking. The lady in love will do likewise. If we can do this for our fellow human beings, how much more are we to do that for God?
The love which Jesus commands us to practice is, in practical terms, the acceptance of others warts and all –fair and faults, fouls and failings. It is relating with everyone with understanding, pity, mercy and unconditional goodwill. It is a feeling of goodwill matched with action, realized with positive impact in others. Since our God is love, others will know we are his children by being lovely, lovable and loving. As St. John tells us, “This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God's child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister” (1 Jn 3:10).
when we say we know God, we have to keephis commandments. St. John said” anyone who says I know him and does not keep his commandment is a liar” (1 John 2:4)
The whole purpose of Jesus' mission was to do the will of the Father in heaven. He considered obedience as a real way of loving and herein, he goes so far as to say that if we love him, we will obey him. His instructions are clear and uniquely simple. He speaks of forgiving others, of not condemning, of having compassion, and of trying to love others as he loves us. All we have to do is to trust him, and to obey him. What this means is that as much as we claim for ourselves God’s promises, so also are we to trust and obey his words. Obedience to God therefore is the key to the fulfilment of his promise to us today of not leaving us alone and dejected as people with no one to speak for us. If we obey his commands, our hopes will be reassured and we will have no cause for fear.
Keeping the commandment of God is not an easy thing. It is not easy because there are two forces fighting within us- the force of good and evil. On our own we cannot do it. We need the help of God. In the Gospel Jesus promise to send his disciples the helper- the counsellor, the comforter. With sullen and sorry faces, Jesus’ disciples could not help but be sad and appear hopelessly dejected at the thought of what their master had just told them: that he would depart from their midst in such a humiliating manner. They were contemplating as to what would be their fate since Jesus was their guide and showed them what to do. Hence Christ reassured them with these promises of not leaving them like orphans with no hope, but that he would give them an advocate, one who would speak on their behalf; a comforter, a helper that would take away their inadequacies and enable them to cope. He promises not to leave them orphaned – but that his abiding presence would be with them in the Advocate, the comforter he would send. This comforter and helper is the Holy Spirit.
On Pentecost Sunday, the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles and strengthened them. They witness to Jesus without fear or shame and gave them the power to keep the commandments of God. In the first reading we read how Phillip filled with the Holy Spirit kept the commandment of God by carrying out the great commission. He preached the Gospel to the Samaritans. The Samaritans after receiving the Gospel also received the Holy Spirit which made them strong Christians
As Christians today, we have all received the Holy Spirit through our baptism and confirmation. The Holy Spirit is our helper and comforter. As people who have revived the Holy Spirit, we are supposed to live in the spirit and not in the flesh. When we live in the spirit, it is easier for us to keep the commandments of God. Today we must ask ourselves if we truly love Jesus. What is that commandment that you find it difficult to keep? Why are you not keeping it? Pray for the grace to always show your love for God by keeping his commandments. May the Holy Spirit help us to always obey the commandments of God.
1st Reading: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17
2nd Reading: 1 Peter 3:15-18
Gospel: John 14:15-21
THEME: “IF YOU LOVE ME KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS”
Jesus today in the Gospel reading tell us that one of the ways we will show that we love him is by keeping his commandments. In life we observe that when two people are in love, they try to please each other; they try to make each other happy by doing what each person likes. For example if a man is in love with a woman he will try his best to please her. For example if she doesn’t like lies or drinking he will try and avoid telling lies or drinking. The lady in love will do likewise. If we can do this for our fellow human beings, how much more are we to do that for God?
The love which Jesus commands us to practice is, in practical terms, the acceptance of others warts and all –fair and faults, fouls and failings. It is relating with everyone with understanding, pity, mercy and unconditional goodwill. It is a feeling of goodwill matched with action, realized with positive impact in others. Since our God is love, others will know we are his children by being lovely, lovable and loving. As St. John tells us, “This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God's child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister” (1 Jn 3:10).
when we say we know God, we have to keephis commandments. St. John said” anyone who says I know him and does not keep his commandment is a liar” (1 John 2:4)
Keeping the commandment of God is not an easy thing. It is not easy because there are two forces fighting within us- the force of good and evil. On our own we cannot do it. We need the help of God. In the Gospel Jesus promise to send his disciples the helper- the counsellor, the comforter. With sullen and sorry faces, Jesus’ disciples could not help but be sad and appear hopelessly dejected at the thought of what their master had just told them: that he would depart from their midst in such a humiliating manner. They were contemplating as to what would be their fate since Jesus was their guide and showed them what to do. Hence Christ reassured them with these promises of not leaving them like orphans with no hope, but that he would give them an advocate, one who would speak on their behalf; a comforter, a helper that would take away their inadequacies and enable them to cope. He promises not to leave them orphaned – but that his abiding presence would be with them in the Advocate, the comforter he would send. This comforter and helper is the Holy Spirit.
On Pentecost Sunday, the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles and strengthened them. They witness to Jesus without fear or shame and gave them the power to keep the commandments of God. In the first reading we read how Phillip filled with the Holy Spirit kept the commandment of God by carrying out the great commission. He preached the Gospel to the Samaritans. The Samaritans after receiving the Gospel also received the Holy Spirit which made them strong Christians
As Christians today, we have all received the Holy Spirit through our baptism and confirmation. The Holy Spirit is our helper and comforter. As people who have revived the Holy Spirit, we are supposed to live in the spirit and not in the flesh. When we live in the spirit, it is easier for us to keep the commandments of God. Today we must ask ourselves if we truly love Jesus. What is that commandment that you find it difficult to keep? Why are you not keeping it? Pray for the grace to always show your love for God by keeping his commandments. May the Holy Spirit help us to always obey the commandments of God.
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