Sixth Sunday of Easter A: Reflections- Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo
Readings: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17; Ps 66:1-3, 4-5,6-7,16,20; I Pet 3:15-18 and John 14:15-21
An Advocate for Peace
Today we celebrate our genuine invitation to Love God and keep His commandments (Jn 14:15-21). We also celebrate the Spirit that stimulates this Love. It is the same Spirit that came upon the people of Samaria when Peter and John prayed and laid hands on them in the first reading (Acts 8:5-8, 14-17).
This Spirit comes to us in our liturgy, in the songs and during our worship. This Spirit enables us overcome the sins of the flesh and live in union with Christ. It enables us every Sunday to leave our homes and head to the Church. It enables us defend the truth and prepares with answers and explanation to anyone who questions any aspect of our faith, the sacraments, the Scriptures and the teachings of Church (1 Pet 3:15-18).
It is the same Spirit that advocates for us happiness where there is sadness; hope where there is disperses; patience where there is impatience; generosity where there is selfishness, and peace, where there is violence or lack of peace; be it in our homes, in the Middle East or in Joplin, Missouri with the recent tornadoes.
Last Saturday from the Vatican office the Pope Benedict the XVI held a chat with some space scientists, astronauts who were already in the space station. During the conversation, the Pope asked the astronauts five questions; one of them centered on Peace. He said, “When you are contemplating the Earth from up there, do you ever wonder about the way nations and people live together down here, or about how science can contribute to the cause of peace?".
Readings: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17; Ps 66:1-3, 4-5,6-7,16,20; I Pet 3:15-18 and John 14:15-21
An Advocate for Peace
Today we celebrate our genuine invitation to Love God and keep His commandments (Jn 14:15-21). We also celebrate the Spirit that stimulates this Love. It is the same Spirit that came upon the people of Samaria when Peter and John prayed and laid hands on them in the first reading (Acts 8:5-8, 14-17).
This Spirit comes to us in our liturgy, in the songs and during our worship. This Spirit enables us overcome the sins of the flesh and live in union with Christ. It enables us every Sunday to leave our homes and head to the Church. It enables us defend the truth and prepares with answers and explanation to anyone who questions any aspect of our faith, the sacraments, the Scriptures and the teachings of Church (1 Pet 3:15-18).
It is the same Spirit that advocates for us happiness where there is sadness; hope where there is disperses; patience where there is impatience; generosity where there is selfishness, and peace, where there is violence or lack of peace; be it in our homes, in the Middle East or in Joplin, Missouri with the recent tornadoes.
Last Saturday from the Vatican office the Pope Benedict the XVI held a chat with some space scientists, astronauts who were already in the space station. During the conversation, the Pope asked the astronauts five questions; one of them centered on Peace. He said, “When you are contemplating the Earth from up there, do you ever wonder about the way nations and people live together down here, or about how science can contribute to the cause of peace?".
United States astronaut Mark Kelly answered that, from space, you cannot see the borders between the nations, but "we realize that people fight with each other and there is a lot of violence in this world ... The science and the technology that we put into the Space Station to develop a solar power capability, gives us pretty much an unlimited amount of energy. And if those technologies could be adapted more on Earth, we could possibly reduce some of that violence".
We pray that the Holy Spirit, this Spirit of truth may be present in our lives. And may its presence improve the quality of our relationship with God and our neighbors, as well as advocate for our happiness, forgiveness, hope and peace.
