It is 21st May 2017. We celebrate the Sixth Sunday of Easter. The readings are from Acts 8:5-8, 14-17; the second read is from 1Peter 3:15-18; and the Gospel is from John 14:15-21. The first reading recounts the mission of the Deacon Philip to the Samaritans. Even though the Church was spreading far and wide yet it was persecuted. Accepting Jesus in the community was the challenge for many members. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Apostles Peter and John could spread the faith to all people. They imposed the hands on the Samaritans. It was indeed the Samaritan Pentecost. When the community of believers suffer in the evil and selfish hands of people and denominations, it is really good for the Church. We must not look at the suffering, and persecutions as the negative one rather in a positive outlook to strengthen the Church. It is the sanctifying Spirit of God allows the Church to stand for Christ in those painful moment. The responsorial Psalm praises, “Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.” (Ps.66:1). The second reading invites to accept the suffering for the sake of spreading of the Word of God and doing good. It is better to suffer for good than to submit ourselves to the evil. Life in the Spirit cannot happen unless we work hard to get rid of the pleasures of the flesh. The Gospel promises us that the Holy Spirit will be our reward for our belief in Christ. Jesus prepared to accept the inevitable that to live in the world without Jesus physically moving around with the apostles. Jesus assures them that the divine persons are experienced and revealed only in the environment of love. This love is so important to feel the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in every believer. We need to be led and be open to the Spirit of Truth in all the matters of faith and living. The most special gift of God is the person of the Holy Spirit to the believer. Living for Jesus and being a witness for Jesus is possible through our love expressed to the least members of the community. We all need to have the sense of sacredness and creating the space for the Holy which will offer us the stamina to face any odds of life. May we be willing to suffer for Christ in spreading and sharing His words. May you have a good day.