Dear brothers and sisters, as we journey through the Easter season toward Pentecost, the readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter offer us a profound meditation on the unity of the Church, the enduring presence of the Holy Spirit, and the peace that flows from love and obedience to Christ. Each reading invites us to reflect on what it means to live as people of the Resurrection, guided by the Spirit and drawn together as one Body of Christ.
In the first reading from Acts of the Apostles, we witness one of the earliest conflicts in the Church — a disagreement over whether Gentile converts needed to follow Jewish customs, specifically circumcision. This was no small matter; it struck at the very heart of what salvation in Christ means. Is it earned through adherence to the Law, or is it a free gift through faith and grace?
The apostles, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, responded with clarity and compassion. They gathered in Jerusalem to pray, discern, and discuss, and their final decision emphasized unity, not uniformity. They declared, “It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us…” — a powerful statement that underscores the active presence of the Spirit in the Church’s life and teaching. The apostles freed the Gentiles from unnecessary burdens but urged them to respect certain essential practices for the sake of community and holiness.
This decision teaches us that the Church must always return to its foundation — the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus — when facing disputes. Unity in Christ is more important than cultural or ritual conformity. The Holy Spirit remains the living source of guidance for the Church in every age, especially in times of disagreement or confusion.
The second reading from book of Revelation offers us a vision of the Church’s ultimate destiny — the heavenly Jerusalem. John sees the holy city descending from heaven, radiant with God’s glory. It is a place not built by human hands but established by God’s eternal love. Its gates bear the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, and its foundations bear the names of the twelve apostles — a beautiful symbol of continuity between the Old and New Covenants. Strikingly, there is no temple in this new city. Why? Because God Himself and the Lamb, Jesus Christ, are the temple. The city has no need for sun or moon, “for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb.” This vision is not just about the future. It is also a reflection of what the Church is called to be now — a community radiant with the light of Christ, built on the foundation of the apostles, open to all who seek the truth.
Finally, in the Gospel of John, Jesus continues His farewell discourse, preparing His disciples for His departure. But He does not leave them (or us) alone. He promises the coming of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will teach and remind them of all that Jesus has said. This same Spirit that guided the early Church in Acts will now dwell within each believer, forming them into the living temple of God.
Jesus’ words are filled with tenderness and promise: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.” This is not a superficial peace, but the deep and abiding peace of knowing we are loved by the Father, indwelt by the Spirit, and united to Christ. It is the peace that overcomes fear and anxiety — the peace that enabled the apostles to face persecution and division with courage and love.
In this Easter season, the Church continues to be renewed by this peace and empowered by the Spirit. As we approach Pentecost, let us reflect on how we are living out the unity, mission, and peace entrusted to us. Are we welcoming others into the Church without placing unnecessary burdens on them? Are we listening for the Spirit’s voice in prayer and discernment? Are we allowing the light of Christ to shine through us, becoming living stones in the heavenly Jerusalem?
Let our answer be a joyful yes — a yes that shaped by love, formed in peace, and sealed by the Holy Spirit.