6th Sunday of Easter (A)

(Edited) Sunday reflections: (From) Years 2014 (A), 2015 (B), and 2016 (C)

May 25, 2014

Liturgical readings

Acts 8:5-8, 14-17

Psalm 66

1 Peter 3:15-18

John 14:15-21

The Lord will not leave us orphaned.

Christ's death in the eyes of His followers made all the apostles and disciples feel discouraged and orphaned. They have experienced the loss of a leader responsible for what they have learned. However, the Resurrection event and the ensuing resurrection appearances gradually brought their courage and faith back. Christ Jesus performed many Risen appearances before ascending into heaven. With His earthly ministry completed, it was now time for His followers to go forth and continue His mission. Since Christ Jesus wanted the apostles to continue building the Kingdom, He did not leave them on their own. He promised the Holy Spirit - the Spirit of truth who will unite all His followers into one Body, the Church.

God has sent his Son Jesus that all may be one community in His name. Jesus is the bond of unity that gathers into one all who believe in Him. This truth is well expressed by St. Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 A.D.), in one of his commentaries for the Easter season (as can be found in the Breviary - Office of Readings, Non-Biblical Readings):

Christ is the bond of unity. If, in Christ, all of us, both ourselves

and he who is within us by his own flesh, are members of the same body,

is it not clear that we are one, both with one another and with Christ?

He is the bond that unites us, because he is at once both God and man.

St. Cyril of Jerusalem refers to Christ as the bond of unity in the Church, and through her Sacraments and mission. It is especially in the Eucharist where Jesus is "within us by his own flesh" and makes us "one, both with one another and with him".

Christ Jesus has not left orphaned all those who followed Him since the time of the apostles, and as the early Church was formed and grew in numbers. He continues to be with the Church in the present times. Christ lives in us as His will is done in every corner of the world. When His faithful members receive His body and blood, He truly becomes God-with-us until the end of time. The faithful become bonded to one another by His body and blood. It is the task now of every Christian to share the Lord and His gospel to all who experienced abandonment in its many forms. By His presence in every speech and work, many will know that God is always near and never ceases to provide for all.

Scripture quote from the Readings:

"Venerate the Lord, that is, Christ, in your hearts." (1 Peter)