SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, CYCLE A

Opening prayer: Loving God, thank you for sending us your Holy Spirit to guide us, teach us, comfort us and convict us of sin. Help us to be more aware of and responsive to your Spirit’s presence and activity in our lives and world. Amen.

Sharing of life: What are you most and least grateful for this week?

Facilitator reads focus statement: Filled with the Spirit (promised in the Gospel), Philip brings the Good News to Samaria (first reading). The second reading is an exhortation to be faithful despite suffering.

If you have not read the commentary prior to the meeting, consider reading it either before of after you read each reading.

FIRST READING: Acts 8: 5-8, 14-17

The death of Stephen unleashes a persecution of the early church in Jerusalem that sends some of its members scurrying for safety in Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1). God uses this bad event to bring the Good News to the people of Samaria – a people despised by Jews. These verses focus on the evangelization ministry of Philip, one of the first Deacons. Philip’s preaching is accompanied and confirmed by signs and wonders which, in turn, is the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy: "You shall do greater works than I." A second important thing to note in this passage is how these "diaspora" ("the dispersed ones") communities stayed connected to the Mother Church in Jerusalem. Finally, it seems that the laying on of hands for the coming of the Spirit is something reserved for the Apostles.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM 66

A theme of universalism, God’s care for all people is dominant in this psalm.

SECOND READING: 1 Peter 3:15-18

These verses from 1 Peter are taken from a section which exhorts the recipients to continue to do well even in the face of hostility. If questioned about their faith by authorities, the Christians should be able to explain the hope that is in them – doing so with respect and reverence and not with antagonism. The people are exhorted to be faithful Christians so that their witness will be effective. There is no need to seek suffering; but if suffering comes our way, know that Christ suffered and that his sufferings should be an inspiration for us. It’s not necessarily God’s will that we should suffer; but it is God’s will that we do good, that we do what is right and just, and if suffering comes our way because of that, then we are called to suffer patiently, knowing that our suffering is the cost of discipleship and it is God’s will that we join in his sufferings. Jesus’ sufferings, i.e., his death/ resurrection is the pattern for us. Just as Jesus’ sufferings brought him to a new life, so will ours. Jesus suffered for the unrighteous to bring them to God. In a similar way, followers of Christ are called to suffer at the hands of the unrighteous and trust God will use such suffering to bring the unrighteous to God.

GOSPEL: John 14:15-21

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus promises the "Paraclete" to his disciples. "Paraclete" literally means "alongside of". Its secondary meaning has to do with speaking, exhorting, begging, consoling, encouraging, instructing. In John, the Paraclete witnesses (15:6), teaches (14:26), encourages (16:6), guides (16:13) and proves wrong (16:8-11).

Notice Jesus says, "I will give you another Paraclete", Jesus was the first one. In today’s gospel, the Paraclete is the "spirit of truth" who will remind the Apostles what Jesus taught and help them to understand what he taught. In various situations, the Spirit will help Jesus’ disciples in different ways, for example: if a disciple is in court, the Spirit will act as his inner defense attorney. In dealing with the world, the Spirit will act as his prosecutor. The Spirit is the very presence of Jesus within us. Jesus hasn’t orphaned us. Rather, he is within us in a new way. The Spirit is a new presence of Jesus. The Spirit is our companion playing different roles at different times. For example, when we are sad he is our comfort, when we are confused, he will guide. This Spirit cannot be recognized without the eyes of faith or without a heart of love. Without these qualities we will not recognize the Spirit. His presence will remain concealed from us. True knowledge of Jesus is always linked to loving Jesus.

FAITH SHARING QUESTIONS

1) What verse, idea or image spoke to you and why?

2) The first reading speaks of "unclean spirits". Name some "unclean spirits" operating in our world today.

3) In the second reading, Peter says, "Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope". If asked, what gives you hope, how would you answer the question? How easy or hard is this for you to explain our Catholic beliefs and practices?

4) How do you experience the Paraclete or the Holy Spirit?

RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD

Name one way you can act on today’s readings. Suggestion: Try to be more aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit within. In preparation for the Feast of Pentecost, consider making a Novena to the Holy Spirit, beginning this Friday. A suggested novena is offered at the end of this week’s commentary.

CONCLUDE WITH PRAYERS OF PETITION AND INTERCESSION ©

NOVENA TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
IN PREPARATION FOR THE FEAST OF PENTECOST Before Jesus ascended into Heaven, he told his disciples to return to Jerusalem and to wait in prayer for the coming of the Holy Spirit (See Acts 1:4-5). For the next nine days, the disciples, along with Mary and some other women "devoted themselves to constant prayer". (Acts 1:14) This time of prayer is often called the first Novena. The word "novena" means nine. A Novena is a nine-day period of prayer for a particular intention.

Beginning next Friday, you are invited to pray the following Novena to the Holy Spirit for whatever intention you decide. You are encouraged to also pray for our church family that we will have a greater sense of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Holy Spirit is God’s greatest gift to us. For the next nine days, make a particular effort to be attentive to the presence and activity of the Holy Spirit in your daily life and respond to his promptings.

NOVENA OUTLINE

Opening Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit.
Fill the hearts of your faithful.
Enkindle in us the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit
and we shall be recreated
and you shall renew the face of the earth.

Meditate on Scripture assigned to each day (see next page).

Pray one decade of the Rosary asking Mary to help you to become more attentive and responsive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Closing Prayer

Father of Light, from whom every good gift comes,
Send your spirit into our lives
With the power of a mighty wind….
And by the flame of your wisdom,
Open the horizons of our minds.
Loosen our tongues to sing your praise
In words beyond the power of speech,
for without your Spirit we could never
raise our voices in words of peace
or announce the truth that
Jesus is Lord! Amen.
(Opening Prayer – Pentecost Sunday)

Scriptures for the Nine Days

Day One

Luke 1:35 Mary conceives Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Luke 3:21-22 Jesus is baptized with the Holy Spirit.

"Jesus, baptize me anew with your Holy Spirit.’

Day Two

John 7:37-39

John 16:37-39 Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit.

"Come Holy Spirit, possess my whole being."

Day Three

Acts 2:1-12 The promised Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples.

"Holy Spirit, awaken in me the fire of your love."

Day Four

Acts 3:42-47 Led by the Holy Spirit, the first followers of Christ join together in a Small Christian Community to share life and God’s deeds in their midst.

"Holy Spirit, may our Small Christian Community grow in love for you."

Day Five

Acts 10:44-48 The Holy Spirit is poured out on the Gentiles.

"Holy Spirit, help me to be open to your workings in the most surprising places and ways."

Day Six

Acts 13:1-12 Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Paul and Barnabas are discerned to go on their first missionary journey.

"Holy Spirit, help me to hear your voice when you call out to me."

Day Seven

Rom 8:26-27 The Holy Spirit helps us in our prayer.

"Holy Spirit, teach me to pray."

Day Eight

1Cor 3:10-16 The Holy Spirit helps us to understand the deep things of God.

"Holy Spirit, show me God’s path for my life."

Day Nine

Galatians 5:16-26

Paul names some of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. We are holy and Spirit-filled to the extent that the fruits of the Holy Spirit are operative in our lives.

"Holy Spirit, help me to grow in love, peace, joy."