Year A
Easter
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Contextual Background:
Jesus promises the Advocate (Spirit of truth) to be with the disciples. “If you love me, keep my commandments.” Love and obedience are linked.
Within the Jewish Tradition:
Love of God and neighbor were central commandments. God’s Spirit empowered prophets to guide and comfort the people.
The Challenge Then:
The challenge was to trust that Jesus’ departure would not mean abandonment, but Spirit-filled presence and power.
The Challenge Now:
We often reduce love to emotion. Jesus insists love is enacted through obedience and risk for neighbor and creation — living God’s public values of mercy, justice, and peace.
Implications for Leaders & Communities:
- Leaders: model Spirit-shaped leadership — comfort and courage together.
- Communities: practice love through concrete action, not sentiment.
What I Am Learning:
Love is expressed in faithful practice, empowered by the Spirit.
The Question I’m Sitting With:
What does Spirit-empowered love look like in my daily life?
