6th Sunday of EASTER

Fr. Julio César RAMOS González SDB(Mendoza, Argentina)

Today, Jesus, just as he did with his disciples, says farewell as he returns to the Father to be glorified. It seems that this saddens the disciples who still look at him with a physical, human gaze, one that believes, accepts and clings only to what they see and touch. This feeling, which also exists today in many Christians, prompts the Lord to assure them that “I will not leave you orphans” (Jn 14:18), for He will ask the Father to send us “another Advocate” (Helper, Intercessor)— “the Spirit of truth” (Jn 14:16-17). Furthermore, although the world will not “see” Him, “you will see me, because I live and you will live” (Jn 14:19). Thus, trust and understanding in these words of Jesus will awaken love in the true disciple, which will be clearly shown in “keeping his commandments” and “observing them” (cf. Jn 14:21). And even more: whoever lives that way will be loved in the same way by the Father, and He – the Son – will love his faithful disciple and manifest Himself to him (cf. Jn 14:21).

How many words of encouragement, trust, and promise come to us this Sunday! Amidst daily concerns – where our hearts are overwhelmed by the shadows of doubt, despair, and fatigue for things that seem to have no solution or have come to a dead-end – Jesus invites us to always feel His presence, to know that He is alive and loves us, and at the same time, promises to those who take the firm step of living His commandments to reveal Himself in the fullness of new, resurrected life.

Today, Jesus is revealed to us as alive and present, in the teachings of the Scriptures we hear, and in the Eucharist we will receive. May your response be that of a new life surrendered in living His commandments, particularly that of love.

Thoughts on Today’s Gospel

• “The real and true life is the Father, who through the Son in the Holy Spirit pours forth His heavenly gifts to all; and through His love to man, the blessings of the life eternal are promised without fail to us men also.” (Saint Cyril of Jerusalem)
• “Christian does not mean mainly adhering to a certain doctrine, but rather joining one’s own life to the person of Jesus. The Spirit teaches us the single indispensable thing: to love as God loves.” (Francis)
• “What the Father gives us when our prayer is united with that of Jesus is ‘another Counselor, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth’ (Jn 14:16-17). This new dimension of prayer and of its circumstances is displayed throughout the farewell discourse. In the Holy Spirit, Christian prayer is a communion of love with the Father, not only through Christ but also in him.” (Catechism Of the Catholic Church, Nº 2615)