6th Sunday of Easter
This Sunday is the 6th Sunday of Easter it doesn’t seem that long since we celebrated Easter Sunday as we head towards Ascension and Pentecost which take place over the next 2 weekends. The second reading is one that I always love to hear as It speaks of us having reverence for God and that we should always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks about the reason for our hope, the reading goes on to tell us to give our answers with gentleness and reverence. What is the answer for our hope simply put the reason for our hope is Jesus Christ the Son of God the Father. If we live for Christ, we will be criticized and many people over the centuries lost their lives for their defence of the faith. Would we be able to stand up and tell those around us the reason that we have for the hope that is within us today? Would we be prepared to stand up for the faith that so many have turned their backs on and point towards Jesus Christ the reason for the hope that we have both these questions are hard to answer for people of faith in the world we find ourselves these days.
In The Gospel for this Sunday Jesus promises to ask the Father to send us the “Paraclete,” or “Advocate.” The word “Paraclete” literally means “one called alongside” indicating one who accompanies another. This can refer to a Lawyer who intercedes for another in a lawsuit, a helper who encourages, or a companion who gives comfort. The Paraclete, or advocate, is the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit. Jesus is preparing his disciples for his Ascension, his going back to the Father. When he finally leaves He doesn’t leave his followers a detailed plan. Instead, he promised them and he also promises us the Holy Spirit, who will never leave our side. This is why he says “I will not leave you orphans.” The Spirit is with us to open our hearts and minds to the fullness of the truth of Jesus’ words, and the commandment he gives to “love one another as I have loved you.” If we share our faith with courtesy and respect for others who might not hold our belief or those who no longer practise their faith. then we will find that they will show respect for the things we hold dear as we stand up for the faith we profess wherever we are.
The one thing that will remain as it has up to now is the reason for our hope who is Jesus Christ who is with us in all our troubles in life whatever they are. As we look around us we may come across people who may be considered to be outsiders who are the least likely to join us in prayer. But here they are and they are part of us! We cannot ignore them, especially if they, like the Samaritans, show signs of the Spirit’s life that is the life of faith in what they are saying or doing. We welcome and respect one another whether we are in Church every week or not; No one is less in God’s eyes, nor should anyone be in ours. Peter calls us today to “good conduct in Christ.” What better conduct can we do as a Christians, than be a community of Christ’s disciples as we move forward together in faith. God the Father is merciful and full of compassion. He is our source of life and of the longings of our hearts and our hearts are restless till they rest in him It is through the Holy Spirit that we are drawn into the life of Faith so we can rest in him. May we always be open to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and may we be bold witnesses to Christ in the world where we are.
Fullerton T 