First Reading: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17

While our reading begins with verse 5 it might be useful to remember verse 4. “Those who had been scatted preached the word as they went.” It reminds one of the Irish diaspora and the founding of churches in the far flung lands. Would our emigrants do the same today? The Spirit leads the emergent church out from Judea into Samaria–into hostile territory. What are similar contemporary context and how does this reading relate to evangelisation now?



Second Reading: 1 Peter 3:15-18

The newly-baptised are reminded that it will not be smooth going all the time. This is a fine exhortation to Christians, who are suffering persecution, about the godly way to conduct themselves through this trail. The real transformation and great freedom conferred in baptism is realised here in the ability to graciously and gently, yet confidently, proclaim Jesus in the face of slander. They shall be vindicated in their innocence.



Gospel Reading John 14:15-21

This Gospel deals with the indwelling of the Father, Son and Advocate in the Christian. The Advocate spoken of here is a second advocate as Jesus is the first mediator for the Christian to the Father. The Holy Spirit dwells within the believer and as the Spirit of Truth, dwelling within the believer, ratifies Christ, the full authentic revelation of God, in the face of the untruth and perversity that sadly is found in the world. This indwelling of the Spirit is made manifest in the believer’s life, characterised by them living out the Christ’s commandments to “love one another as I have loved you.” There is an interrelatedness between the love of Jesus, the keeping of his commandments and the indwelling of the divine presence.