We are now celebrating the Sixth Sunday of Easter. The Church invites us to pray more deeply and to open our hearts to receive the Holy Spirit, who comes to renew us from within.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus is preparing his disciples for what is to come. He knows he will soon return to the Father, and he wants to make sure they understand how they can remain close to him, even in his physical absence. He tells them clearly: “Whoever loves me will keep my word.” This is the heart of discipleship—love for Jesus shown through obedience to his teaching. When we live according to his word and walk in love, truth, and mercy, we show that our love for God is real. When we love as Jesus teaches, we become living temples of God. The presence of God dwells not in distant places, but in hearts that love.
The power of Christian love lies not in performing miracles or grand gestures. It is about doing ordinary things—speaking kindly, forgiving, helping, listening—with extraordinary love. These are the signs of someone who truly keeps Jesus’ word. Jesus promises more than his presence. He also promises us his joy and peace. There is no greater joy than knowing that we are not alone—that God has chosen to make his home with us. St. Patrick captured this beautifully in his prayer: “Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me.” Like him, we are called to let Jesus surround every part of our life.
Jesus goes on to say that he will ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit. This is a promise of guidance and strength. Jesus knows that his disciples will need help to understand and live out everything he has taught them. We are no different—we also need the Holy Spirit. At Pentecost, the early Church experienced this gift in a powerful way. The Holy Spirit came like wind and fire—not to destroy, but to renew. The disciples were changed. They went from being afraid to being bold witnesses of the Gospel. They began sharing all they had, loving each other deeply, and spreading the message of Jesus far and wide. This same Spirit is offered to us today. But as Pope Benedict XVI once said: “You cannot give what you do not have. If we want others to know the Spirit, we must first let the Spirit live in us.” We must open our hearts, let God breathe his Spirit into us, and become signs of his love in the world.
Jesus also tells his disciples: “I am going away and I will come back to you.” He is speaking of his Ascension—and also of his return at the end of time. We are living in the in-between: the time of the Church. It is in this time that we are sent to carry forward Christ’s mission. We do this not with force, but with love—by becoming witnesses of his mercy, his truth, and his peace.
Finally, Jesus leaves us with his gift of peace: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” It is not a fragile peace, like what the world offers. It is a deep, lasting peace that comes from being united with God. In a world marked by war, hatred, and confusion, we are called to be messengers of this peace. St. Teresa of Avila reminds us: “Prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God.” Through prayer, we grow in love. Through love, we remain in Christ. And through Christ, we receive peace that nothing in the world can take away.
Let us pray, live, and love in such a way that God may make his dwelling within us—and through us, renew the world.
Fr. Mathew Charthakuzhiyil