Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection May 10, 2026
Sunday – 6th Sunday of Easter
10th May 2026 (Sunday)
Psalter: Week 2
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17
In those days: Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralysed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city. Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
Psalms 66:1-3а, 4-5, 6-7a, 16 and 20 (R. 1)
R/. Cry out with joy to God, all the earth. or Alleluia.
Second Reading: 1 Peter 3:15-18
Beloved: In your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behaviour in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, says the Lord; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel: John 14:15-21
At that time: 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 Helper, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
Sunday – 6th Sunday of Easter
Main Point: Love for the Lord will transform one’s life. It will also commit him to transform others by word and signs
1. The apostles were personally touched by the Lord. It was because they lived intimately with him. They were being taught and formed by him. They were being nourished and strengthened by him. Thus, they were trained to be his fitting, efficient and effective emissaries.
2. This new call and mission was carried out by them through a passionate and convincing testimony through preaching and healing. The Lord continued to accompany and confirm them with his own Spirit. Accordingly, all those who believed received not only the gift of faith but also the anointing by the Holy Spirit.
3. What is notable in this whirlwind of a witnessing mission? It is the universality of faith and the power of the Spirit. There was no distinction or discrimination, such as Jew or Gentile, free or slave, male or female, rich or poor, noble or simple. All that mattered was openness and receptivity to the Word of God and faith in Christ.
4. The mission of the apostles was a tremendous success despite the numerous hurdles and opposition. This was only because of the beautiful harmony between God’s action and human cooperation, a profound blend of the power of the Spirit and the zeal of the apostles.
5. In the light of Peter’s words in the second reading, the apostles “sanctified themselves to Christ as their Lord”. Their whole and sole model and focus was their Lord, who “though righteous suffered for the unrighteous” and “by dying, gives life to those who die by sin”. In imitation of him, they were totally convinced that “it is better to suffer for doing good on God’s behalf than for doing evil on behalf of the world”.
6. In the light of the gospel, this whole project of mission and witness is rooted in an unfathomable love for the Lord and following his commandments. And this, in turn, essentially means to surrender and commit one’s whole life to the Father’s will, concretely manifested in faith and fraternity.
7. This is crystal clear in the words of Jesus: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments”. As one loves the Lord and does what he has commanded, automatically, he will be taken into the hold of the Father’s love as well.
8. Once inserted into the dynamics of love of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, there is the predilection by the Father, revelation and communication of the Son and illumination, confirmation and empowerment by the Spirit.
9. Let us then check and see whether we passionately love the Lord, whether we are committed to keep his commandments, whether we surrender to the Father’s will, whether we manifest it in spiritual communion and fraternal mission, whether we never flag in zeal and commitment to bear witness, in suffering perseveringly for God and good, whether we spread the church and God’s reign.
My Practice: Big talk, eloquent preaching, bundles of activities, organised display of skill and competence will not suffice for an effective mission. A profound love for the Lord and a loyal adherence to his commandments alone are the greatest signs and proofs
