WHEN GOD'S SPIRIT SHOWS UP!

Rev. Deacon Al Douglas Turner, MTS

Sixth Sunday of Easter

"I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you." (Jn. 14:15-21)

The readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter remind us that joy is not something we wait for; it is something God places within us, even in the midst of struggle. For Black Catholics, this joy is often born out of perseverance and communal hope, echoing the lived experiences of ancestors who found courage in their faith amid adversity. Rooted in the promise of the Resurrection, this Sunday’s Scriptures speak to a resilient faith shaped by endurance, communal strength, and the steady assurance that God’s Spirit remains with us always.

In Acts 8, the early Church moves beyond familiar boundaries to proclaim the Gospel to the Samaritans, a people long pushed aside and overlooked. What follows is joy, real, communal joy born not from comfort, but from inclusion and new life. This passage reflects a truth deeply known by communities that have had to persevere. When God’s Spirit shows up, dignity is restored, barriers fall, and joy rises. Black Catholics, whose history in the Church has often been marked by resilience and prophetic witness, know that the Spirit’s presence affirms that no community is forgotten and no struggle is wasted in God’s saving plan.

Psalm 66 gives voice to praise that comes from lived experience. This is not a shallow celebration, but joy that remembers where God has brought us from. It is praise that has survived trials and still chooses thanksgiving. Such joy has long been a source of strength for the Black community, turning pain into prayer and testimony into song. Spirituals, gospel music, and the traditions of Black worship show how rejoicing is itself an act of faith, a declaration that God’s goodness is greater than our circumstances.

The reading from 1 Peter calls believers to hold fast to hope and to speak from a place of gentleness and integrity. “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame” (1Pt 3:15-16). This hope of the people is resilient; it has been tested and refined. For Black Catholics, this is a hope that has been carried by families and communities through generations, inspiring leaders in the struggle for justice and shaping a faith that does not give up, even when doing what is right comes at a cost. Responding to hardship with grace becomes a powerful witness to a God who sustains and strengthens those who remain faithful.

In the Gospel, Jesus offers reassurance that speaks directly to weary hearts: we are not left orphaned. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, walks with us, comforts us, and empowers us to live lives rooted in love. This love is not passive. It shows up in how we care for one another, in the pursuit of justice, and in the quiet determination to keep moving forward, trusting that God’s Spirit is still at work. For Black Catholics, this is a living legacy, a faith that loves, liberates, and lifts the whole community.

Together, these readings call us to Easter joy, a joy that endures, to a faith that rises again and again. As we journey toward Pentecost, we are invited to celebrate the Spirit who strengthens our resilience and sustains our joy. We are called to live as a people who trust God’s promises, rejoice in God’s presence, and continue to witness through word and action, to a love that overcomes and a hope that does not fail. With the voices of our ancestors and the faith of our community, we answer God’s call to walk together in courage, unity, and praise.

Rev. Mr. Al Douglas Turner, MTS

St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church

Archdiocese of Atlanta

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