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The Holy Spirit: God’s Living Presence

The Holy Spirit: God’s Living Presence

Last updated on: May 4, 2026 at 11:17 am by Dennis McIntyre

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The Holy Spirit: God’s Living Presence 2026-05-04T11:17:49-04:00 Dennis McIntyre

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The Holy Spirit dwells within us – image courtesy of Vecteezy.com.

This Sunday, May 10, 2026, is the Sixth Sunday of Easter, and the common message from this weekend’s readings is God’s living presence through the Holy Spirit. The gospel reading is from the book of John. Let’s take a look at this week’s readings.

Gospel Text – John 14:15-21

Jesus said to his disciples:

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows him. But you know him, because he remains with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. In a little while, the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live. On that day, you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”

First Reading – Acts 8:5-8, 14-17 – The Spirit Creates Joy and Unity

Philip proclaims Christ in Samaria, a region long hostile to Jerusalem. His preaching is accompanied by healing, liberation, and “great joy in that city.” Later, Peter and John come from Jerusalem and pray so that the Samaritan believers may receive the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands. The Gospel is not confined to one people or place; it breaks ethnic and religious barriers.

Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20 – All the Earth is Called to Praise What God Has Done

Psalm 66 is a communal hymn that invites all nations to praise God for mighty deeds, especially deliverance through trials. The psalmist then offers personal testimony: God heard prayer and did not withhold steadfast love. Deliverance through suffering becomes a reason for testimony and thanksgiving.

Second Reading – 1 Peter 3:15-18 – Hope Made Visible Through Faithful Witness in Suffering

Peter exhorts believers under persecution to honor Christ as Lord and to be ready to explain their hope with gentleness and respect. He reminds them that suffering for doing good mirrors Christ’s own redemptive suffering. Suffering does not negate God’s presence; it can reveal it.

Gospel Reading – John 14:15-21 – The Promise of God’s Ongoing Presence Through the Spirit

Jesus promises that those who love him and keep his commandments will not be left orphaned. He will ask the Father to send the Spirit of truth, who will dwell with and within believers forever. The Holy Spirit is God’s abiding presence, not a replacement but a continuation of Jesus’ care. Believers live in a shared life with the Father, the Son, and the Spirit.

The Catholic View

The Holy Spirit guides us and brings joy to life – image courtesy of Vecteey.com

God is not distant. Through the Holy Spirit, God is actively present, creating joy (Acts), inspiring praise (Psalm 66), strengthening witness in hardship (1 Peter), and abiding with believers in love (John). Because God lives in us by the Spirit, we live with joy, testify with hope, love with obedience, and trust God even through suffering. Most of us assume that meaningful faith moments happen only in “religious” settings—church, prayer time, retreats. Acts 8 reminds us that God shows up in unexpected places and stressful circumstances.

Philip ends up in Samaria because of persecution, not success. Yet that uncomfortable displacement becomes a place of healing and joy. A difficult workplace or tense family situation becomes a place where patience, kindness, and truth slowly change the atmosphere. We come to realize that joy doesn’t come from ideal conditions but from God’s presence right where you are.

Psalm 66 doesn’t deny struggle—it names trials, testing, and pressure. But it chooses to remember God’s faithfulness out loud.

Peter isn’t telling Christians to win debates. He’s telling them to live with such grounded hope that people notice—especially when things are unfair. Faith becomes credible when it is gentle, steady, and lived.

Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit addresses one of the most common human fears: being on your own. Love and obedience here are not about perfection—they are about relationship. The Spirit helps us live faithfully, not flawlessly.

Please share your thoughts about this article in the “Comments” section.

Peace

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About Dennis McIntyre

In my early years, I was a member of the Methodist church, where I was baptized as a child and eventually became a lector. I always felt very faith-filled, but something was missing. My wife is Catholic, and my children were baptized as Catholics, which helped me find what I was looking for. I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself, walking with Jesus. I was welcomed into the Catholic faith and received the sacraments as a full member of the Catholic Church in 2004. I am a Spiritual Director and commissioned to lead directees through the 19th Annotation. I am very active in ministry, serving as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister and providing spiritual direction. I have spent time working with the sick and terminally ill in local hospitals and hospice care centers, and I have found these ministries challenging and extremely rewarding. You can read more about the author here.

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