Sixth Sunday of Easter 2026
As we gather on this Mother’s Day, we give thanks for the love of mothers and all who have nurtured us in faith and in life.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks to us about love – not just as a feeling, but as a way of living. He reminds us that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments. And He makes us a beautiful promise: that we are never alone. He will send the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, to guide us, strengthen us, and remain with us always.
Today as we listen, let us open our hearts to that Spirit, who teaches us how to love as Christ loves.
Homily for Sunday, May 10 Sixth Sunday of Easter… John 14:15-21
I would like to begin by wishing all our mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, godmothers, and all women / who share in the gift of nurturing and love, a very blessed and happy Mother’s Day. /… / …
Today, in the Gospel, Jesus gives us both a promise / and a command.
The command is simple, but not always easy: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
And we all know what that commandment is – Jesus makes it clear throughout the Gospel: Love one another as I have loved you.
Then comes the promise: … Jesus tells us that we are not going to be left alone. “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you always – the Holy Spirit.”
Now, think about this for a moment. … / …
Jesus knows He will not be physically present with His disciples much longer. So, what does He do?
He promises them presence in a new way – the presence of the Holy Spirit, / the Advocate, / the one who will guide them, comfort them, strengthen them, and remind them that they are never alone.
And in a very real way, isn’t that what mothers do?
A mother’s love is one of the first ways we experience what it means not to be alone.
Even as children grow older, / move away, / start families of their own – a mother’s voice, … her wisdom, / her care … it stays with us.
Many of us can still hear our mother’s words:
• “Be kind.”
• “Do the right thing.”
• “I’m praying for you.”
Even when she is not physically present, … her love remains.
That is a small glimpse – a human glimpse – of what Jesus is promising us.
The Holy Spirit is like that constant presence of love and guidance in our lives:
• Reminding us / of what is right …
• Nudging us / when we go the wrong way …
• Comforting us / when we are hurting …
• Strengthening us / when we feel week …
Jesus is saying: You will not be left as orphans. You will not be abandoned. … You will not have to figure life out on your own.
But notice something important.
Jesus connects this promise to a command:
“If you love Me, you will keep my commandments.”
In other words, love is not just something we feel – it is something we live.And again, who teaches us that better than mothers? A mother’s love is not just words – it is action:
• Long nights …
• Sacrifices / that no one sees …
• Patience / when it’s difficult …
• Forgiveness / when it’s needed …
That is the kind of love / Jesus is talking about.
So today, we are given both a challenge / and a comfort.
The challenge: To love – not just when it’s easy, but when it’s difficult. / To love with patience … sacrifice … and forgiveness.
The comfort: We do not do this alone. / The Holy Spirit – the Advocate – is with us. … Helping us. … Guiding us. … Strengthening us.
And so today, we give thanks:
• For the gift of the Holy Spirit …
• For the commandment to love …
• And for the mothers and mother-figures in our lives / who have shown us what that love looks like in real life.
Perhaps the best way we can honor our mothers today … is not just with words, but by the way we live.
By loving one another as Christ has loved us.
Because when we do that, we are not only keeping His commandment – we are allowing the Holy Spirit to live and act within us.
AMEN.