Walking with Jesus: Sixth Sunday of Easter A

For Sunday, May 10, 2026

Acts 8:5-8, 14-17; 1 Peter 3:15-18; John 14:15-21


During the past few Sundays we have heard and witnessed descriptions of the early Christian community from the Acts of the Apostles, explaining how the Christian faith was spread. We have to keep in mind that Jesus was Jewish until the day He was crucified. His apostles were Jewish too. They realized that following the Jewish faith was incomplete — Jesus told us the complete description about God and the meaning of living a life of God. During those early years, followers would go to the temple/synagogue on the Sabbath and then, on Sundays, assemble for the Breaking of the Bread. Eventually — because of persecutions and rejection by Jewish followers — they stopped the Sabbath component and assembled just for the Breaking of the Bread — the Eucharist — which later became the Mass. Today’s readings recount the spread of the Gospel with Philip, one of the seven “workers” discussed last week who tended to the needs of the widows of the Hellenists. They were open to Philip because of his explanation of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. With exorcisms and healings and wondrous signs, Philip and the others were attracting people. Many believed that possession by the devil and physical infirmity were evidence of sin’s hold on the world, and release from this bondage was considered a sign of the new age. This fledgling community sent Peter and John to Samaria as a sign of goodwill, to ensure proper protocol, and to demonstrate Christian solidarity. It is all about God and how we are to live as God’s followers and proclaimers of the Gospel and Jesus’ commands of love.

Although the Acts of the Apostles focuses mostly on the activities of Peter and Paul, it does include other important figures in earliest Christianity. Today we hear how the gospel message was received in Samaria, which explains why the Samaritans were viewed in a favorable light with the story of the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4. She was viewed as the first disciple — one who was sent, to help others believe — as each of us shares that mission. It is amazing that the Jewish worshippers concentrated on persecution and rejection of the Christians while, on the other front, Acts shares the inspiriting and effective efforts of apostles and evangelists and how they met with favorable and fervent responses from their hearers. We are loved by God — God continues to let us know of His love through other believers. We listen, we believe, we follow — and we are now part of that same chain of believers. Are we sharing our love and faith with others? This is our mission.

There is much real-world, practical advice offered in the first section of Peter’s first letter. His audience is encouraged to honor Christ: Look what He did — He talked love all the time — He healed — He told us God loves us all the time. So now is the practical time: What am I to do? Do I just sit and worship alone, just for me? Or am I taking on the challenge and exhortation of being an authentic witness of the Gospel, living as Jesus lived, loving as Jesus loved? Jesus suffered for doing good. Suffering comes to us. How can we live as Jesus today? You may remember the catchphrase making the rounds a few years ago — WWJD (“What Would Jesus Do?”) As it suggests, the ultimate moral code to determine right and wrong is: How do I best show love in this situation? Is mine a giving love, or am I trying to make myself look better? Am I living and loving like Jesus?

Today’s Gospel is from the Last Supper, containing John’s description of the most intimate expressions of Jesus’ vision and His will for His followers. It offers four important themes:

1. The love of Jesus as demonstrated by keeping His commandments.
2. The Promise of the “Advocate,” the Holy Spirit — the Spirit of truth, who will be with the disciples and their communities — and us too, in the ups and downs of life ahead.
3. The “departure” of Jesus. He came from the Father and He returns to the Father. Now we, like the disciples, will experience Him in a new way by living love with the Holy Spirit.
4. The interrelationship between Jesus, the Father, the Holy Spirit, and the community. As the community, we share in the divine life through the Spirit that Jesus sent, showing His willful self-giving on the cross.

It’s all about God, showing us that we are loved and need to be love. Love must be experienced. If we don’t give it, how will others learn that God loves?

So I reflect on:

• Each person faces trials and sufferings. At times I have felt that God was testing me — trying me by fire. How did I pass this on to others? It never was in complaining — only in loving.
• Jesus said I will keep His commandments if I love Him. How am I doing? Do I think and reflect on this? Why not?

Sacred Space 2026 states:

“Jesus revealed to the world the truth about His Father, and the Spirit reveals to that same world the truth about Jesus Himself. Lord, help me today during this time of prayer to do nothing … just to be with You … and help me to be receptive towards what You offer.”