Howard Trust writes a Reflection for the Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year A)
This Sunday, the sixth of Easter, is the last Sunday before the Ascension next Thursday followed by the end of Easter with the feast of Pentecost on Sunday 24 May. The Introit for this Sunday’s +mass tells us to “proclaim a joyful sound … to the ends of the earth”, that is the good news of the Resurrection for us all to share with everyone we know. The reading from St Luke’s record of the Acts of the Apostles is about exactly that and tells how Ss Philip, Peter and John proclaimed the Gospel in Samaria to crowds “who paid attention to what was being said” by these simple fisherman. In the second reading, from St Peter’s first letter, he reminds us to proclaim and preach the Gospel “with gentleness and respect”.
In today’s reading from the Holy Gospel of St John, Our Lord enjoins his disciples to “keep My commandments” so that they will receive the Holy Ghost at Pentecost – “another helper” and “the Spirit of truth”. As we prepare for Pentecost and the celebration of the descent of the Holy Spirit, let us do so with Our Lady, the Queen of Apostles and the Queen of Heaven, and ask her to guide and protect us in all we do to proclaim the Gospel.