First reading Acts 14:5-18
We have come with good news to turn you to the living God
Eventually with the connivance of the authorities a move was made by pagans as well as Jews to make attacks on the apostles and to stone them. When the apostles came to hear of this, they went off for safety to Lycaonia where, in the towns of Lystra and Derbe and in the surrounding country, they preached the Good News.
A man sat there who had never walked in his life, because his feet were crippled from birth; and as he listened to Paul preaching, he managed to catch his eye. Seeing that the man had the faith to be cured, Paul said in a loud voice, ‘Get to your feet – stand up’, and the cripple jumped up and began to walk.
When the crowd saw what Paul had done they shouted in the language of Lycaonia, ‘These people are gods who have come down to us disguised as men.’ They addressed Barnabas as Zeus, and since Paul was the principal speaker they called him Hermes. The priests of Zeus-outside-the-Gate, proposing that all the people should offer sacrifice with them, brought garlanded oxen to the gates. When the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard what was happening they tore their clothes, and rushed into the crowd, shouting, ‘Friends, what do you think you are doing? We are only human beings like you. We have come with good news to make you turn from these empty idols to the living God who made heaven and earth and the sea and all that these hold. In the past he allowed each nation to go its own way; but even then he did not leave you without evidence of himself in the good things he does for you: he sends you rain from heaven, he makes your crops grow when they should, he gives you food and makes you happy.’ Even this speech, however, was scarcely enough to stop the crowd offering them sacrifice.
Responsorial Psalm 113B(115):1-4,15-16
Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
but to your name give the glory,
for your merciful love and fidelity.
Why should the nations say:
“Where is their God?”
But or God is in the heaven;
he does whatever he wills.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
May you be blest by the Lord,
The maker of heaven and earth.
The heavens, the heavens belong to the Lord,
but to the children of men,
he has given the earth.
Psalm 113B(115):1-4,15-16
Gospel John 14:21-26
The Advocate, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Anybody who receives my commandments and keeps them
will be one who loves me;
and anybody who loves me will be loved by my Father,
and I shall love him and show myself to him.’
Judas – this was not Judas Iscariot – said to him, ‘Lord, what is all this about? Do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?’ Jesus replied:
‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we shall come to him and make our home with him.
Those who do not love me do not keep my words.
And my word is not my own:
it is the word of the one who sent me.
I have said these things to you while still with you;
but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything
and remind you of all I have said to you.’
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The Holy Spirit, the Advocate
In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks about the Holy Spirit, who is given to us as our Advocate, not a distant helper, but a living presence who walks with us, speaks within us, and leads us back to Jesus. Today, we are surrounded by a lot of noise. We chase comfort, success, and pleasure, yet we also feel the burden of global issues like wars, violence, and division. The news can often be overwhelming and negative. This makes it easy for us to feel anxious, numb, or hard-hearted. We can either let fear consume us or become indifferent to the suffering around us.
Today, Jesus reminds us that we need the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit, we struggle to hear God’s voice amidst the noise. Our conscience becomes dulled, and our faith can feel routine, even lifeless. Yet Jesus does not leave us alone in this reality. He promises, “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit… will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you.” The Spirit is with us to remind us of what truly matters: love, truth, compassion and fidelity. He helps us understand when the world is confusing, gives us courage when we feel afraid, and brings us hope when things are uncertain.
Reflective question:
Am I allowing the Holy Spirit to guide my thoughts, shape my responses, and lead me to live with love and hope?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD
