St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1pm and 4pm Masses
THEME: “Peace and Presence: God Dwells With Those Who Love Him”
This Sunday focuses on the promise of Jesus’ continued presence through the Holy Spirit, the gift of divine peace, and the Church’s call to remain united and faithful in love and obedience.
1st Reading: Acts 15: 1-2, 22-29
essential
Res. Psalm: Ps. 67: 1-2, 4-5, 6-7 (R. 4)
2nd Reading: Rev. 21: 10-14, 22-2
I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb.
Gospel: Jn: 14: 23-29
Introduction – The Promise of Divine Presence
A blessed afternoon/evening to all of you my dear brothers and sisters in Christ.
This Sunday’s Gospel passage comes from the Farewell Discourse of Jesus at the Last Supper, a continuation from last Sunday. Liturgically, we are still in the joyful season of Easter and the Church continues to draw our hearts closer to the Risen Lord, who has conquered death and now offers us new life.
Today, on this 6th Sunday of Easter, we are invited to reflect on a powerful promise: God is not distant. He dwells among us. He makes His home in the hearts of those who love Him.
And the readings today resonate with a beautiful harmony. They speak of peace, guidance, and presence—three gifts that are inseparable when you have a relationship with God.
In the Gospel, Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure and since we will be celebrating His ascension next week, Jesus’ final departure from the earth, He also assures us - that though He is going to the Father, He is not leaving us orphaned.
He promises to send the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, who will remind us of everything He has taught. This is not just a theological truth—it is a personal, living reality.
This beautiful reality that God
is with us. And not just with us, but within us, if we open our hearts in love
and obedience.
The Gospel – Love, Obedience, and Peace
From the time of Moses to early Christianity, people believe that God’s presence is only found in the temple. But in the Gospel today, Jesus revealed a profound mystery - that the presence of God is not limited to temples or rituals, but that He dwells in the heart of every believer who lives in love and obedience.
I
was kind of hoping that our angelic choir will remain true to the Liturgy and
give us the right Gospel Acclamation and they did not disappoint.
In the Gospel acclamation that
came from the Gospel reading itself, we have just heard Jesus says:
“Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him."
We become his temple. For those who love and obey - their bodies become the temples of the Holy Spirit. And Jesus adds a crucial element: peace.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.”
"Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam!" (I announce to you a great joy: We have a Pope!)
Three weeks or so ago, we have been given a new Pope – Leo XIV. He was elected on the 5th balloting, the 2nd day of Conclave. And I can imagine as his name is called – “Cardinal Prevost” over and over again as the votes are tallied, from the 1st balloting to the last, that he would have felt some kind of fear and the overwhelming feeling of unworthiness.
This maybe a big moment in Cardinal Prevost, but his life has been marked by many occasions of saying yes to God. He has lots of experience facing God with love in his hear and saying yes.
You see brother and sisters - Love and obedience—these are not meant to be burdens. They are the fruit of a relationship with Christ. When we love someone, we naturally desire to please them, to honor their words, to live in harmony with their will.
This I think is the reason why Pope Leo’s first word as he steps onto the balcony and gives his first blessing, Urbi et Orbi ("To the City and the World"), to the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square and watching around the world.
"Peace be with you all"
This is not the fragile peace of politics or the temporary calm of a stormy day. This is Christ’s own peace, rooted in trust, in presence, in the unshakable reality that God is with us.
This
peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of God amid trouble.
How many of us today long
for this peace? In our families, in our hearts, in our world? Christ offers it
freely, but it begins with a heart open to His presence.
The Early Church – Unity Through the Spirit
The First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles shows us a practical example of the Holy Spirit guiding the Church. The early Christians faced serious conflict—what was required of the Gentile converts? Must they follow the Mosaic Law?
Instead of division, the apostles, with prayer and discernment, listened to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. They send Barsabbas and Silas with Paul and Barnabbas to Antioch with this beautiful message:
"It has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to impose on you no further burden than what is essential"
This phrase teaches us a deep truth: the Holy Spirit is not just a divine inspiration floating above us. He is active in the life of the Church, especially in moments of discernment, unity, and leadership.
When we allow the Holy Spirit to guide ourselves, our families, our parishes, or our personal decisions—we participate in this same divine wisdom. And it brings peace. It brings clarity. It brings communion.
This
is the same Spirit Jesus promised in the Gospel, and He continues to speak in
the Church today.
The Heavenly Jerusalem – A Vision of Fulfilled Presence
Finally, in the Book of Revelation, we are given a vision of the New Jerusalem. It is a radiant city, but what makes it truly glorious is not its walls or jewels, but the fact that God dwells in it.
“I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb.”
This vision is not just about heaven; it points to what we are already called to become: a people in whom God dwells. Every Mass, every act of love, every time we obey Christ’s word, we allow that heavenly Jerusalem to take shape in us.
The
Church, even in her imperfections, is meant to be a sign of that future city, a
foretaste of heaven, where peace reigns and God is fully present.
Conclusion – Living as Dwellings of God
So today, dear friends, let us open our hearts anew to the promise of Christ:
- Let us love Him by keeping His word.
- Let us welcome His peace, not as the world gives, but as a gift of the Spirit.
- Let us live as the early Church did—guided by the Holy Spirit, building unity and truth.
- And let us become, more and more, a people in whom God dwells.
And may we say with confidence: “Come, Holy Spirit, dwell in us. Make our hearts Your home.”
Amen.
