Reflection on 6th Sunday of Easter Year A

 

Today we celebrate Mother’s Day. All of us have experienced the great love and sacrifice of our mothers. If we are where we are today, I firmly believe that the loving hand and prayers of our mothers have guided us. Therefore, I appreciate and congratulate all the mothers present here today.

At the same time, let us pray for our own mothers. Every one of us has a mother. Whether they are living or have gone to eternal rest, let us remember them in our prayers today. I wish all mothers a blessed Mother’s Day, and I thank you for your love, care, and sacrifices.

Dear brothers and sisters, all the readings today invite us to desire something greater — something beyond material blessings. They invite us to long for the gift of God Himself.

In the Scriptures, God asked Solomon: “You are going to be king. What gift do you want from me?” Solomon could have asked for riches, power, or a long life. Instead, he asked for wisdom, and God granted it to him abundantly.

If God were to ask each one of us the same question today, what would our answer be?

Many of us would ask for different needs and blessings. But how many of us would ask for the Holy Spirit?

We are preparing ourselves for Pentecost, and the greatest gift we can receive is the Holy Spirit. Once the Holy Spirit comes into our lives, everything changes. The Holy Spirit gives us strength, wisdom, courage, peace, and direction.

Very often, however, we spend our lives asking for material gifts and worldly comforts, while forgetting to ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit.

In the first reading, we see Philip preaching in Samaria with the power of the Holy Spirit. Through him, many miracles and healings took place. His preaching touched hearts because the Holy Spirit was working within him. Peter and John also came to the community, and the people were filled with the Holy Spirit.

Then persecution arose. Difficulties and suffering entered their lives. Usually, when challenges come, we become afraid. But sometimes persecution and difficulties become opportunities for God’s greater plan.

When the disciples were scattered because of persecution, they went to different parts of the world, and as a result, the Word of God spread everywhere.

The same is true in our lives. Challenges may seem difficult to bear, but no difficulty comes into our lives without God giving us the grace to endure it. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome every challenge.

Once the Holy Spirit enters our lives, we become courageous Christians, ready to proclaim the Word of God and the hope we have in Christ. Our God is alive. Christ is risen. Therefore, we are people of hope.

That is why Saint Peter tells us in the second reading to be ready to explain the hope that is within us.

But how should we proclaim this hope?

Saint Peter gives us three important qualities.

First, we must be gentle. We should never preach with anger or pride, but with humility and kindness.

Second, we must have reverence for the Word of God. When we hold the Bible in our hands, we should hold it with respect because it is the living Word of God.

Third, our conscience must be clear. Our lives must reflect the message we preach.

Even then, people may criticize us or misunderstand us. Some may even speak against us. But Saint Peter reminds us not to be afraid. If we suffer while doing good, God is with us.

It is better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

In the Gospel, Jesus reminds us that when the Holy Spirit comes into our lives, we will be able to keep His commandments.

Humanly speaking, it is not easy to keep the commandments all the time. Even small things, like speaking the truth always, can be difficult. But with the help of the Holy Spirit, we receive the strength to live faithfully.

Jesus calls the Holy Spirit our Counselor and Teacher. In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 12, verse 12, Jesus says: “The Holy Spirit will teach you at the proper time what you ought to say.”

We need patience. We need to wait upon the Lord. The Holy Spirit will guide us and teach us at the right moment.

Saint Paul also reminds us in First Corinthians, chapter 6, verse 19: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit?”

If we truly recognize that the Holy Spirit dwells within us, then we will strive to keep our lives pure and holy.

The Holy Spirit also reminds us that we are children of God. In the Letter to the Romans, we are told that we are sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. Jesus Himself says, “I will not leave you orphans.”

My dear brothers and sisters, all these readings invite us to eagerly wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

As we prepare for Pentecost, let us ask ourselves:
What gift am I truly seeking?
Am I seeking only temporary satisfactions, or do I truly desire the Holy Spirit?

Today, as we participate in this Holy Eucharist, let us once again ask for God’s grace. Let us ask with sincere hearts, with joy, and with deep longing:
“Lord, fill me with Your Holy Spirit.”

Once the Holy Spirit comes into our lives, all the other gifts and graces we need will follow.

For this grace, let us pray during this Holy Eucharist.

May God bless us all. Amen.