Fr. Joseph ADENIYI

Today, the Sixth Sunday of Easter, we are gradually coming to the end of the Easter season, and, Our Lord Jesus Christ’s Public ministry, and as such, we move closer to the time of his Ascension into heaven.

One prominent factor in our readings of today, is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit whom Christ said the Father would send to us in his name, after his Ascension into heaven. The Holy Spirit who is our advocate and our comforter, the one whom Jesus says would teach us all things. So, if we remain calm and listen to the voice of the Spirit, he would direct our actions and guild us through all things in this world.

In our Gospel reading of today, the Lord Jesus once again reminds us of an important element of our life, he reminds us of Love. He says to us that, if we love him, we would keep his word and his Father would love us in return. Just last week, he gave us a command; to love one another as he loves us. Today, he says to us that, to love him, is to keep his word. This shows us that, love is essential in our human existence. It is by love that God created us, it is by love that he redeemed us, it is also by love that he has decided not to leave us orphans after his Ascension into heaven.

Today also, the promise of the Third person in the Blessed Trinity was made, the one who would direct all we do and say in this world.

In our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we see the Apostles sending a letter with a very powerful statement; “the Holy Spirit and we have decided.” This statement shows that, they did not act or say anything by their own accord alone, but after consultation with the Holy Spirit. So, it shows the important role of the Holy Spirit in our lives and our activities. To act rightly, we must always listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, for it is he who would direct us in all we do or say.

Again, the Lord gave us another parting gift in the Gospel reading of today. He says to us that we should not be afraid, or let our hearts be troubled, for he has given us Peace; a peace that the world cannot give. A peace so serene that nothing should bother us, the peace of him who is the prince of peace. Humanity cannot live in peace or give us peace unless we live in God, for God alone can give us peace.

The world we live in today needs Peace, as there is hatred, envy, jealousy, war etc. everywhere. Today, the Lord reminds us that, he has given us Peace and that the peace he gives, is the type that the world cannot give us. He says to us that, to live in this peace of his, we must endeavor to listen to the Holy Spirit who would teach us to live rightly.

If we look around us, we would see that indeed, humanity needs peace, the type of peace that the Lord gives us today. We so much need this peace, so that we can begin to restraint from war, hatred, envy etc. Our world of today is in disarray and we also need the promptings of the Holy Spirit to help direct our minds, thoughts and actions.

So, to survive the dangers of our time, we must make the Holy Spirit our friend, we must make him our advocate and partner. It is through docility to the spirit of God that we can do all things well as God intends, for he is our teacher, guild, advocate, comforter etc.

May the peace of Christ continue to remain with us, and may we be docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, Amen.