April 27, Sixth Sunday of Easter

Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.-- Psalm 66:1

Mass readings: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17 / 1 Peter 3:15-18 / John 14:15-21

The Spirit of Truth

Today's Gospel contains one of the most tender passages in all Scripture. As Jesus tries to prepare His disciples for His coming death, He tells them, ''I will not leave you orphans.'' No matter how old we are, when our parents die, we feel the cold rush of the realization that we are now ''orphaned.'' Jesus understands that feeling, so He promises us that no matter how we might feel, we're never truly alone. Another Advocate, the Holy Spirit, is with us always.

Cultivating a relationship with the Holy Spirit is a sure way to feel the loving presence of God in our lives every day. All we have to do is ask, ''Come Holy Ghost, Creator Blest, and in our hearts take up Thy rest.''

Prayer: Holy Spirit, fill my heart and my soul, which You have made.