Today’s Gospel Reading continues the Farewell Discourse of Jesus, recorded by St. John. This reading, to anticipate the coming feasts of Ascension and Pentecost. We hear of Jesus’ immanent departure and the promise that he will ask the Father to send us the Holy Spirit. Hence, from Easter to Pentecost, our readings have been focusing our attention on the promises of Jesus to his disciples, especially the promise of the Holy Spirit Whom Jesus will ask the Father to send, and on the results of His coming, shown in the early apostolic preaching of the Good News of salvation. The second reading were chosen to help us prepare for the soon-to-be-celebrated feast of Pentecost. They show us how the Spirit worked in the everyday activities of Jesus’ first followers.

The first reading explained, the success of Philip, among the despised Samaritans is described. Philip turned the dispersal into an opportunity to preach the Gospel message by taking it to Samaria.  Although the Samaritans were despised by the Jews, Philip followed the assignment Jesus gave the apostles in chapter 1 of Acts: “You are to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, yes even to the ends of the earth. By calling down the Spirit upon the newly converted Samaritans, Peter and John brought them into fellowship with the whole Christian community.  We see from this event that the Holy Spirit operates only where there is communion with the apostles who, as “witnesses of Jesus’ Resurrection,” certify the risen One’s continued activity on earth. Through the imposition of hands by the successors of the Apostles (our bishops), we also receive the Holy Spirit.  We are empowered to profess our Faith boldly, to bear witness to the Truth of the Lord, and to stand for what is right and good.  We receive the Spirit’s consolation in our difficulties. 

The second reading explained: How the Holy Spirit makes possible God-fearing lives in the midst of opposition and persecution.  Peter warns that God-fearing Christians shouldn’t be surprised by angry outbursts of resentment and militant confrontation from those around them If we are willing to suffer for Christ and with Christ, God will see us through and will vindicate us. Meanwhile, we have the consolation of the Holy Spirit Who lives in our hearts and Who raised Christ from death. Peter also advises the newly baptized in the Church that Jesus must be so much a part of their lives that His dying and rising come through even in the way they respond to questions about their Faith: “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts…. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope but do it with gentleness and reverence. “

In the Gospel Jesus’ promise to his disciples of the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit, is part of the long “Farewell Discourse” near the end of John’s Gospel.  This long discourse is a unique summary of the mystery of the Incarnation and the role of the Holy Spirit. God’s promise of the Holy Spirit should not have been a mystery to the followers of Jesus who knew the Holy Scriptures. The origin of this promise can from the Old Testament books of Jeremiah and Ezekiel. In the days of the prophets, God had promised to make a new Covenant, with His people. And finally, God had promised to put His Spirit within His people to enable them to follow His statutes and be careful to observe His ordinances. Paul tells us that this promise has been fulfilled: “Do you not know that you are God’s Temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”. Have a nice Sunday.  fr. Alex sx