Franciscan Friar Fr. Paul Gallagher reflects on the Gospel readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter. Who are the “wisdom people” in your life, that seem to speak and live the spirit of Jesus’ love for you and others?
The content is edited by Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Sister Anne Marie Lom and Joe Thiel. The excerpts from the Sunday readings are prepared by Joe Thiel. To read or download the complete pdf with excerpts for your prayer, please click here: Franciscan Gospel Reflection May 25 2025. Excerpts are from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Photos: St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Frisco, Texas
John 14:23-29
Jesus said to his disciples: “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. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. Yet the word you hear is not mine; it comes from the Father who sent me.
This much have I told you while I was still with you; the Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will instruct you in everything, and remind you of all that I told you. ‘Peace’ is my farewell to you, my peace is my gift to you; I do not give it to you as the world gives peace. Do not be distressed or fearful. You have heard me say, ‘I go away for a while, and I come back to you.’ If you truly loved me you would rejoice to have me go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I tell you this now, before it takes place, so that when it takes place you may believe.”
Background:
For the last five weeks the scripture readings of the Easter Season have reflected on our relationship to the risen Lord. Next Sunday we will celebrate the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord, and the following week the Feast of Pentecost. The Gospel text for this Sunday offers a glimpse into the early Christians’ first reflection on the relationship between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. By introducing the role of the Holy Spirit, the text also prepares for the celebration of the great Feast of Pentecost.
The text itself is part of John’s Last Supper account. John’s account of the Last Supper began with Jesus washing the feet of the disciples (John 13:1-12). It continued with Jesus’ request that they follow his example, the betrayal of Judas, Jesus telling the apostles that he will be with them just a short time, the prediction of Peter’s denial, Jesus asking that the disciples not let their hearts be troubled, the promise of an Advocate, and reassurance that Jesus will not leave them orphans. This long discourse is coming to its conclusion in the Gospel text for today.
(There are few verses in the discourse that do follow the text for today. “I will no longer speak much with you for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me. Get up, let us go.” (John 14:30-31))
The Gospel text is concluding Jesus’ instruction to the disciples and is preparing them for his leaving them and the events of the Passion. Even though John’s community has been reflecting on Jesus’ departure and the passion for some time, they are still dealing with Jesus’ absence.
They relied on the presence of those who had personally known Jesus to help guide them in their new way of life. When the Romans destroyed the temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD, the Christians interpreted this as an expression of God’s anger and anticipated that Jesus’ triumphant return would take place soon. When Jesus did not return, and those who had experienced the living Jesus also began to die which lead to new questions and doubts within the community. Many did not endure.
In John’s Gospel, the Advocate (Holy Spirit) is described as having at least three roles. The Advocate is the continuing presence of Jesus on earth after the ascension, and the source of truth, and a source of consolation and peace. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in you, the comforter and advocate.” (John 14:17) And lastly in the text for today the Advocate reminds the community of the things that Jesus had taught, and testifies to the truth on behalf of Jesus (John 14:26).
Reflection Questions:
- Have you experienced the death of another that affected how you lived, celebrated, or thought about God?
- Who are the “wisdom people” in your life, that seem to speak and live the spirit of Jesus’ love for you and others?
- In the first verse of this Gospel 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.” How do you experience the truth of Jesus’ promise to you?
- Where do you find the presence of the Holy Spirit?
- How is the peace that Jesus brings different from how people normally speak of peace? Where is that kind of peace present in your life? How are you striving to live in that peace?
- John writes his Gospel to respond to the doubt, fears, and questions of the Christians of his day. Do you experience doubt or questions in your life?
- Can you talk with God openly and honestly about your experience of the Holy Spirit working in your life, your own need for reassurance, or some thought or feeling that arose in you from this Gospel text?
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