6th Sunday of Easter
As we come near the close of the Easter season, the Letter from Peter challenges us always to be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope…. We pause today to reflect on what gives us hope.
In the reading from Acts, we read of the great joy experienced by Philip, Peter, and John in Samaria over the growth of the Christian community. Do the new community members we received at the Easter Vigil bring hope?
Jesus promised to send the Spirit of truth to be with us always. We encounter this Spirit in so many ways in our lives. As we celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation, we are reminded of the presence of the Spirit pouring forth gifts and encouraging us to know that we are not alone and that we always have reason for hope.
Each time we come together to celebrate the Eucharist, we call upon the power of the Spirit on the bread and wine so that we might receive the Body and Blood of Christ. Here we encounter the Risen Christ and are once again assured that we are not alone. He remains with us — giving us hope and nourishment as we seek to keep his commandments. But more importantly, as Saint Peter Julian Eymard reminds us, you are walking in our Lord’s company. You dwell with him; how fortunate you are!
In the Resurrection is our reason for hope.
The new life of spring, healing a relationship, young people working to end gun violence in schools, immigrants establishing a new life, people rising from natural disasters, and other resurrections happen all around us. Are we aware?
Today, let us reflect on what gives us hope and be bold in explaining to anyone who asks our reasons for living in joyful hope.
Let us pray:
Risen Lord, we thank you for the gift of your Spirit. May this gift empower us to bring hope and healing to those who feel alone or abandoned. Enable us to understand that you have given us life so that we might share that life and joy with others. Amen.
