6TH SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR C

Acts 15:1-2.22-29
Psalm 66
Apocalypse 21:10-14.22-23
John 14:23-29

“WE AND THE HOLY SPIRIT HAVE DECIDED”

If we allow ourselves to be guided by the Spirit of the Living God and keep the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, there will be peace, harmony and unity. And we will become citizens of the heavenly city which was shown to John in the second reading (Ap. 21:10-14.22-23).

In the gospel, Jesus highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in the Church. The Holy Spirit is the ‘Advocate’, or ‘Paraclete’. According to William Barcley, the name ‘Paraclete’ is a transliteration of the  Greek word ‘parakletos’ which, in juridical parlance, means one’s advocate/lawyer, defender or counselor. He is also the Teacher and the Memory of the Church. For he “will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you,” said Jesus (John 14:23-29).

The first reading narrates the thrilling episode of the first council of Jerusalem (around 49 AD). The delicate issue was this: should the pagans who have become Christians be circumcised and observe the Law of Moses according to the Jewish tradition? The answer contained in a letter sent to the Christians states that: “It has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to impose on you no further burden than these essentials: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from fornication” (Acts 15).

Three lessons can be learnt from this passage. First, it is the Holy Spirit that enlightens and guides the Church and every Christian to discern and take good decisions in conformity with the will of God. Second, the Church is for everyone, because God makes no distinction and wants all people to be saved. Therefore, we must open the Church’s doors to anyone irrespective of his color, gender, political affiliation, or ethnic and social background. Lastly, conflicts and misunderstandings are inevitable in our church communities, families, groups or associations. But it is through dialogue, characterized by empathic listening and tolerance, that we can solve them.
May the Holy Spirit help us to take good decisions and be faithful to the love and will of the Lord.
Amen