The Spirit of Truth and the Love of God
The Sixth Sunday of Easter | May 10, 2026
Opening Thought
In our Gospel reading this Sunday, Jesus offers a profound and deeply comforting promise to his disciples: "I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you." In a world that often feels disconnected and isolating, this assurance is a powerful reminder that we are never abandoned. Jesus promises to ask the Father to give us another Advocate, the Spirit of truth, to be with us forever.
This weekend, as we offer special prayers giving thanks for the gift of motherhood, we are reminded of the nurturing, unconditional love that God has for each of us. Whether we are celebrating mothers who are with us, remembering those who have gone before us, or giving thanks for those who have been like mothers to us, we see a reflection of God's maternal, abiding presence. We are not orphans; we are deeply loved children of the God who gives to all mortals life and breath and all things.
Engaging the Word
Our readings today weave a beautiful tapestry of God's omnipresent love and the call to share our hope with the world.
Acts (17:22-31): We find Paul standing in front of the Areopagus, speaking to the Athenians about an altar dedicated "To an unknown god." He beautifully proclaims that God is not far from each one of us, reminding them of the truth that "In him we live and move and have our being."
Psalm 66 (7-18): A joyful song of praise thanking God for holding our souls in life. The psalmist rejoices that even though we went through fire and water, God brought us out into a place of refreshment.
1 Peter (3:13-22): Peter encourages us not to be intimidated by suffering, but to sanctify Christ as Lord in our hearts. He challenges us to always be ready to make a defense to anyone who demands an accounting for our hope, doing so with gentleness and reverence.
John (14:15-21): Jesus promises the disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit. He links our love for Him directly to keeping His commandments, assuring us that because He lives, we also will live.
A Journey in Song: Our Musical Guides
Our music today echoes the themes of divine love, the power of God, and the commandments of Christ, deeply enriching our understanding of the day's scripture.
Opening Voluntary: We begin with Dan Locklair's (b. 1949) The peace may be exchanged. Taken from his acclaimed organ suite Rubrics, this contemporary piece creates a beautifully serene and contemplative atmosphere. Its gentle, flowing nature serves to center our hearts and prepare us for worship, echoing the deep peace that comes from the Advocate Jesus promises.
Entrance Hymn: We open our voices with I sing the almighty power of God (Hymnal 398). This robust, traditional hymn sets a joyous and reverent tone from the very start. It ties directly into Paul's message in Acts, where he proclaims the "God who made the world and everything in it", praising the Creator's hand in all of our lives.
Sequence Hymn: Just before the Gospel, we sing O Love of God, how strong and true (Hymnal 455). This selection seamlessly transitions us from the Epistle into the Gospel reading. It is a thoughtful meditation on the depth, endurance, and comfort of God's love, perfectly preparing our minds to hear Jesus speak about the ultimate demonstration of love and obedience.
Offertory Anthem: The choir offers Thomas Tallis's (c. 1505-1585) stunning Renaissance masterpiece, If ye love me. Tallis masterfully sets the exact words of our Gospel lesson to music. As the choir weaves the lines "If ye love me, keep my commandments" and the promise of "another comforter... e'en the spirit of truth," we are given a profound, auditory reflection of Jesus' vow that we will never be left orphaned.
Communion Hymn: As we partake in the Body of Christ, we sing God is love, and where true love is (Hymnal 577). This hymn gently reminds us of the practical application of our faith. It emphasizes that true, active charity is the ultimate hallmark of a Christian community, mirroring the interconnected love of the Father, the Son, and the disciples discussed in John's Gospel.
Closing Hymn: As we prepare to leave, we sing the Hymn in Procession, Spread, O spread, thou mighty word
Closing Voluntary: We finish with a Chorale Prelude on "Gelobt sei Gott" by the celebrated composer Healey Willan (1880-1968). "Gelobt sei Gott" translates to "Praised be God," and Willan's prelude delivers exactly that—a triumphant, uplifting, and majestic conclusion that empowers us to boldly answer the dismissal: "Let us go forth in the name of Christ, Alleluia, Alleluia".
A Closing Note on our Journey
As we celebrate the love that God fills mothers with for their children—a love that surpasses understanding—we are invited to experience a foretaste of God's unconditional, eternal love.
This weekend, my thoughts naturally turn to my own mother, Kimble. She has shown my sister and me a love that is truly unending. When I was just ten years old and my mother was only thirty-seven, my father passed away from cancer. Suddenly, she was left without the love of her life to help raise her children. Yet, in the midst of that profound grief, she never stopped loving us; if anything, she held us even closer.
Even now, separated by physical distance, she continues to hold us firmly in her heart and mind. For me, she is that love that will not let me go. While I know that Christ's love is far greater than any earthly love we could ever experience, I am deeply blessed that she and my daddy gave me life, and that Kimble is my mother. So, I simply want to say: thank you, Mama, for loving me.
Let us carry that maternal, unconditional love out into the world this week.
A Prayer for the Week Ahead
Let us pray for the guidance of the Spirit of Truth.
For mothers, that God would bless them with all the spiritual blessings they need to care for and raise up their children to know and honor Him.For those who grieve the loss of a child, and in thanksgiving for those who have provided us with encouragement, guidance, and comfort.
For the grace to love Jesus and keep his commandments, trusting in the Advocate He has sent us.
Collect for the Sixth Sunday of Easter:
O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
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