My Dear Friends,

Today we celebrate the Sixth Sunday of Easter, and in two weeks we shall be celebrating the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles on Pentecost. This is precisely why the Readings at the liturgy this weekend revolve around the effects of the coming of the Holy Spirit on members of the early and post-Resurrection Church.

Dear Friends in Christ,

This Sunday presents us with beautiful happenings in the life of the early Church and in the lives of the disciples.

In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles 6:1–7 (When Growth Reveals Weakness), the early Church community begins to grow rapidly, and it’s a huge concern for the Jewish community. This seems like pure success, but growth exposes cracks. The disciples of Jesus were caught up with the challenge of serving the people and preaching the Word to them, and at this, they needed help with other services so that they could concentrate on the role of preaching. This is one of the scriptural passages that speaks about the Office of the Diaconate, an office of service.

My Dear Friends in Christ,

This Sunday is traditionally called Good Shepherd Sunday, and all three readings come together with one powerful message: we are called to recognize, follow, and trust the voice of Christ, our Shepherd, who leads us to life. This Sunday also highlights how Jesus cares, guides, provides, protects, and ultimately lays down His life for His sheep.

Dear Friends in Christ,

The readings from Acts 2:14, 22–28, 1 Peter 1:17–21, and Luke 24:13–35 (Emmaus narrative) take us on a spiritual journey—a movement from confusion to clarity, from fear to faith, and from despair to mission. They show what the Resurrection of Jesus Christ truly does in the life of a Christian. In the first reading, Christ is proclaimed; in the second reading, Christ is the foundation of faith; in the Gospel reading, Christ is recognized in the breaking of bread.

Dear Friends in Christ,

Today is Divine Mercy Sunday. It is celebrated on the Second Sunday of Easter, highlighting God’s infinite mercy revealed through the Risen Christ.

The devotion comes from St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun who received visions of Jesus in the 1930s. Jesus asked that a Feast of Divine Mercy be established on the Sunday after Easter. The feast was officially instituted by Pope John Paul II in the year 2000, the same day he canonized St. Faustina.

My Dear Friends,

The Surprise of Easter – Easter does not begin with joy; it begins with confusion. This confusion is seen when Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb expecting to see the body of Jesus but does not. Peter runs with uncertainty; John follows with quiet hope. In all these, none of them woke up saying, “Today, He will rise.” And that is important because it means the Resurrection is not something they invented. It is something that completely surprised them. Easter is God’s work, and not some human drama. Reflecting on Easter, the following points give us a better understanding.