6th Sunday of Easter (Cycle C, Year II)
Community Word: Missionaries of the Risen Christ serve God in love.
Theme: We serve God wholeheartedly when we receive and share the peace of Christ.
Promise: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him.” (Jn 14:23)
Reflection:
After the resurrection of Jesus, He appeared to His disciples who were then consumed with guilt, fear, disappointment, confusion and unbelief, and He greeted them with “Peace be with you,” (Jn 20:19). These same friends left Him alone, rejected and denied Him, but still He declared peace to them. Christ’s peace is truly the fruit of His unconditional sacrificial love.
We just concluded the Philippine elections, but the noise is not yet over. We continue to read negativities, false news, accusations and counter accusations in social media. We are still in the pandemic with the ongoing threat of Covid-19 and the conflict in Ukraine continues. Many people remain anxious due to present difficulties and future uncertainties. But the great consoling news is that we can take comfort in Jesus’ gift of peace in these words – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid,” (Jn 14:27).
The resurrection of Jesus signifies new life and new beginning, leading to a new hope and renewal of faith. We have to focus on Jesus who is the Light in the midst of darkness. Focusing on disbelief, sadness, anger, or revenge will only make us lose sight of the Light. We, in the renewal, are aware that this chaos that is happening in the world is spiritual warfare. Are we to allow the forces of darkness rule ourselves and our world?
It is the opportune time to rise above everything else – to have the zeal, enthusiasm and the dedication to work for Christ, to spread the love of Christ and share the peace of God that transcends all understanding. Let us start with ourselves, to find time, share our talents and resources; focus our energies for the common good, for the good of our brethren, especially the marginalized, the uninformed and misinformed. We can educate them regarding our faith, to know His word and obey God’s commandments. By this we serve Jesus wholeheartedly with love.
Fittingly and at the right time, our theme for the 6th Sunday of Easter tells us – We serve with love when we receive and share the peace of Christ. God’s timing is perfect. Jesus prepared His disciples for the coming persecutions and trials so that they will hold on to their faith and hold on to Him. We too have our individual struggles but we are strengthened. We experience the love and peace of Jesus through our weekly worship, our word sharing circles, study of His word and regularly receiving Him in the Eucharist. As He has promised, when challenges come we are assured that we are not alone or unaided. Jesus tells us, “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit…will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you,” (Jn 14:26).
So, we are exhorted to take time for prayers and personal meditation, to be silent before the Lord, to seek His presence and to trust that His Divine plan will unfold. When and how we don’t know, but God’s thoughts and ways are perfect. Let God be God and experience His gift of peace. Jesus gives us this reassuring promise – “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and will come to him and make our dwelling with him,” (Jn 14:23).
The antidotes to sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, and negativities are prayer, dwelling in His word and works of mercy. Those negative feelings are not from the Lord, but these are workings of the enemy. Let’s not give him the chance to replace the peace of Jesus in our hearts. It’s only Jesus and Jesus alone who shall reign in our lives. Jesus is the true peace in our hearts which deserves to be shared with everyone.
Prayer:
Loving Father, please send your Holy Spirit to work through us, to refresh and renew us in this challenging times. May we be instruments of peace and not agents of conflict and hate. Let our hearts overflow with Your love and blessings so that we will not have room for discouragement, but only peace, hope and joy. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Our Blessed Mother and St. Joseph, please bring our prayers to Jesus. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
- How can you be fruitful disciples of Christ? What qualities must you cultivate as His disciples to enrich His kingdom?
- What good works can you impart to others, even to those who differ in your beliefs and choices?
- How can you promote unity and teamwork within your ministry and the community?
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
May 22, 2022 (Sun) – Acts 15:1, 2, 22-29/ Ps 67:2, 3, 5, 6, 8/ Rv 21:10-14, 22-23/ Jn 14:23-29
May 23, 2022 (Mon) – Acts 16:11-15/ Ps 149:1-6, 9/ Jn 15:26-16:4
May 24, 2022 (Tue) – Acts 16:22-34/ Ps 138:1-3, 7, 8/ Jn 16:5-11
May 25, 2022 (Wed) – Acts 17:15, 22-18:1/ Ps 148:1, 2, 11-14/ Jn 16:12-15
May 26, 2022 (Thu) – Acts 18:1-8/ Ps 98:1-4/ Jn 16:16-20
May 27, 2022 (Fri) – Acts 18:9-18/ Ps 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7/ Jn 16:20-23
May 28, 2022 (Sat) – Acts 18:23-28/ Ps 47:2, 3, 8-10/ Jn 16:23-28
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
