Gospel Reflection for the 6th Sunday of Easter

1st. May: Parting is such sweet sorrow

Having experienced the pain and sorrow of the crucifixion, then the joy and new life of the resurrection, the followers of Jesus now have to face the reality of the Risen Lord’s departure – again. He senses their confusion, pain and sense of loss. But before he leaves them, he gives those two parting gifts; The Holy Spirit and his own Peace.

He doesn’t give them all the answers to the questions they have. He knows that they will have to face difficulties, disagreements and differences. So he prepares them for the road ahead by strengthening and encouraging them with His risen life through the gifts of the Holy Spirit and his own inner Peace. He is sending them out to proclaim the good news, but he does not expect them to do it on their own.

Encouraged by His presence they will never be alone or helpless and neither are we, who are the community of believers today. We are asked face our daily reality and lives not just with optimism but with faith and hope in the risen Jesus and each other. Through celebrating and sharing in the resurrection, each of us also shares in and experiences the Peace of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. As we continue our journey through Easter, we that we will be blest with the gifts of Christ’s Peace and encouraged by the power of the Holy Spirit.