St. Mary's Catholic Church of Tomahawk, WI

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

We are on the sixth Sunday of Easter. In the first reading we hear Phillip goes to Samaria, preaching to the people. The Samaritans were not considered Gentiles; they were seen as a step removed from Judaism. Hence preaching to them is considered a Gentile mission, where people experienced great joy by receiving baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit by the laying of hands by Peter and John. Do we perceive and experience that great joy through the reception of the Sacraments and live in that joy of the Holy Spirit?

The second reading exhorts the community to sanctify Christ as Lord in our hearts. Then it explains to unbelievers the reason for our hope with gentleness and reverence. This could bring others to faith as their attention is caught and they are perhaps intrigued by the unexpected. Their questions might be more aggressive in nature than polite curiosity, but as believers we are called to respond with peace and awe.

The Gospel describes the results that flow from loving Christ. The first consequence is that loving disciples will keep His commandments. The second result is Jesus praying for the another Advocate to be sent by the Father who is the Holy Spirit. Here Jesus explains the relational aspect of the divine presence which is profoundly related with the loving disciples. Hence the relationship between the Holy Trinity and the believers is that of mutual love. How do we grow every day in this loving relationship?

Fr. Aloysius Royan Anthony