Welcome to this reflection for Sunday, May 10, 2026. As we move deeper into the Easter season, the Church begins to shift our gaze. We have celebrated the Resurrection with shouts of "Alleluia," and now, on this Sixth Sunday of Easter, we begin to look toward the horizon, toward the Ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
Today’s readings from the Acts of the Apostles and the Gospel of John offer us a beautiful, cohesive message: we are never alone. Whether we are facing the challenges of our daily lives or looking at the massive needs of the global missions, we are sustained by a "Promise of Presence."
Joy in Unexpected Places
In our first reading from Acts 8, we encounter Philip. Now, remember, this isn’t Philip the Apostle, but Philip the Deacon, one of the seven chosen to serve the community. Following the martyrdom of Stephen, a great persecution broke out in Jerusalem, and the believers were scattered. You might think that being chased out of your home would lead to despair, but for the early Church, it led to mission.
Philip goes to Samaria. To the average person in the first century, this was a place to be avoided. There was deep-seated historical and religious tension between Jews and Samaritans. It was a place of "others," a place of discomfort. Yet, Philip doesn’t go there to argue; he goes there to proclaim the Christ.
The result is staggering: "There was great joy in that city."
Isn’t that a beautiful image? A city that was likely overlooked or even looked down upon becomes a fountain of joy because someone was willing to bring the presence of Christ there. It’s a powerful reminder for us today. Sometimes, the places we are most afraid to go, whether that’s a difficult conversation with a neighbor, a neighborhood we’ve labeled as "troubled," or even a neglected corner of our own hearts, are exactly where God wants to work His biggest miracles. When we bring the message of Christ into the places of "avoidance," joy follows.
Not Left Alone: The End of Spiritual Loneliness
In the Gospel (John 14:15-21), Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure. He knows they are afraid. He knows that the road ahead will be filled with trials, shipwrecks, and eventually, martyrdom. In the midst of this tension, He gives us one of the most comforting promises in all of Scripture: "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you."
Think about the weight of that word: orphans. An orphan in the ancient world was the ultimate symbol of vulnerability. To be an orphan meant you had no protector, no provider, and no one to claim you as their own. Jesus is telling His followers, and He is telling us, that we will never be in that position.
Following Jesus is hard. Living out the Gospel in a world that often values power over service and consumption over sacrifice can make us feel isolated. But Jesus sends us "another Advocate." The word used in the original Greek is Parakletos, which means someone who is called to walk alongside you. It’s a legal term for a defense attorney, but also a term for a comforter.
This Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit, is our constant companion. He is the "Promise of Presence." When you feel like your faith is being tested or when the mission seems too big for your small shoulders, remember that the Advocate is standing right there. You aren't doing this on your own. You are a child of God, fully claimed and fully protected.
Explaining Your Hope with Gentleness
The second reading from 1 Peter (3:15-18) serves as a practical guide for how we live out this "presence" in the world. Peter tells us: "Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope."
Notice that Peter assumes people will ask. Why would they ask? Because if we are truly living in the joy of the Spirit, the same joy Philip brought to Samaria, people are going to notice. Hope is a rare commodity in our modern world. When someone sees you remaining peaceful in a crisis or remaining joyful in the face of hardship, it sparks a question: Why are you like this?
But there’s a crucial catch in Peter’s advice. He says we must do this "with gentleness and reverence."
Our hope is not a weapon to win arguments. It isn’t something we use to make others feel small or "wrong." Instead, our hope is an invitation. When we explain why we believe in the Resurrection and why we trust in the Spirit, we do it with the same kindness that Jesus showed. We don't scream the Truth; we live it so beautifully that others want to know the Source of our light.
Love is the Key: More Than a Feeling
Finally, Jesus anchors everything in love. "If you love me, you will keep my commandments."
In our culture, we often talk about love as a feeling, a "spark" or an emotion. But for Jesus, love is a commitment. It is a decision to live the way He lived. Keeping His commandments isn't about following a dry list of rules to stay out of trouble; it’s about aligning our hearts with His.
When we love someone, we want to please them. We want to be like them. By keeping His commandments of love, service, and sacrifice, we aren't earning His love; we are expressing the love He has already poured into us through the Spirit. It’s a cycle of grace: He loves us, He gives us the Spirit, we love Him back, and that love overflows into the world.
Connection to the Society of St. Peter the Apostle (SPA)
At the Society of St. Peter the Apostle (SPA), which is part of The Pontifical Mission Societies, we see this "Samaritan joy" unfolding every single day in the mission territories of Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands.
Our mission seminarians and religious sisters are the "Philips" of our time. They are the ones going into remote villages and crowded city centers where hope is often thin. They go into places where people have been marginalized or forgotten, and they bring the life-giving message of the Gospel.
These young men and women are the living proof that Jesus has not left His people orphans. When a community in a mission territory receives a newly ordained priest or a newly professed sister, they are receiving a tangible sign of God’s presence. They are receiving someone who will be there to baptize their children, to comfort the dying, to celebrate the Eucharist, and to be a voice for the voiceless.
By supporting the formation of these local clergy and religious through your prayers and donations to SPA, you are directly helping to fulfill Jesus' promise of presence. You are providing the means for a local leader, someone who speaks the language and knows the culture, to bring the "Advocate" to those who are searching for Truth. You are ensuring that no community is left as an "orphan."
Reflection for Your Week
As you go through your week, take a moment to reflect on these questions:
- Where is your Samaria? Is there a person, a place, or a situation you have been avoiding? How might the Holy Spirit be calling you to bring a little bit of "Great Joy" to that space today?
- Do you feel like an orphan? When you face stress or loneliness, do you try to carry it all on your own? Take a deep breath and invite the Advocate, the Spirit of Truth, to stand beside you. Remember: you are never alone in your mission.
- How do you share your hope? If someone asked you today why you are a person of faith, could you answer them with gentleness? Practice seeing your faith as an invitation rather than a defense.
A Final Thought
"I will come to you."
Let those words of Jesus sink into your heart today. They are not just words for the disciples two thousand years ago; they are words for you, right now, in the middle of whatever you are going through.
Thank you for being the hands and feet of Christ in the missions. Your support allows the light of the Spirit to reach the ends of the earth. Please keep our seminarians and religious sisters in your prayers this week. As they prepare for their lives of service, they are preparing to bring the joy of the Spirit to a world that so desperately needs it.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him!
About the Society of St. Peter the Apostle
The Society of St. Peter the Apostle (SPA) is one of the four Pontifical Mission Societies. Our specific mission is to support the formation of local clergy and religious in mission territories. By providing scholarships and funding for seminaries, we help ensure that the Church can grow and thrive under the leadership of local priests and sisters.
To learn more about how you can support our mission, visit us at www.fraugustinedejidada.org.