Celebrating the Sixth Sunday of Easter and moving toward the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, the First Reading (Acts 15:1-2, 22-29) begins with:

Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved.”

But then after much debate, or “dissension,” Paul, Barnabas, and others go to meet with the apostles and the elders to discuss this issue further. From this, comes:

“It is the decision of the holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell.”

This is a great reminder of the need to leave room for the Holy Spirit. It can be tempting to want to understand or “know” something and then to consider it a closed book. Yet here we can see that the Lord’s way calls for openness, flexibility, and trust that the Holy Spirit can lead and guide us toward what is right and just according to God.

In the Second Reading (Revelation 21:10-14,22-23), describes the magnificence and glory of “the holy city of Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.” There is a place for every tribe and three gates facing each direction (east, north, south, and west). The foundation, stones representing each apostle of the Lord. Then, the following is written:

“I saw no temple in the city for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb. The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb.”

Perhaps a prompt, or a gentle nudge to recall, that although the things of earth can at times bring comfort or a sense of security, nothing can surpass the love and protection of God. It’s more than a lifetime guarantee!

The Gospel reading for this Sunday is as follows:

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.
Whoever does not love me does not keep my words;
yet the word you hear is not mine
but that of the Father who sent me.
I have told you this while I am with you.
The Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything
and remind you of all that I told you.
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.
You heard me tell you,
‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’
If you loved me,
you would rejoice that I am going to the Father;
for the Father is greater than I.
And now I have told you this before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe.” – John 14:23-29

What thoughts and desires arise within you when you contemplate this passage?

What’s it like when you consider loving the Lord as being equal to keeping the Lord’s word, openness to being taught and reminded of the Lord’s word by the Holy Spirit and receiving the gift of the Peace of Jesus?

Take some time to reflect on your Easter journey thus far, and your relationship with Jesus. How do moments of peace and moments of distance from peace that you’ve experienced differ? And how are you inspired toward greater love and peace through the above Scripture passages and your experience of the risen Lord?

Your Peace, the greatest gift
next to Your lasting Love.
Exemplar of goodness,
kindness… integrity,
those wise, could hope to be.