Year C – Easter 6 | Acts 16:9-15; Psalm 67; Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5; John 14:23-29
Our Easter reading through Acts brings us to the Macedonian Call. When Paul the Apostle intended to continue ministry with Semitic peoples, God called him to European. The fact that the Gospel is for all the world was being reinforced. Jesus died that whoever believes may have salvation. Humanity’s healing is through the work of Christ.
The Psalmist sings to inspire all nations to worship God. There is an understanding that God is not God of Jews only but of all peoples. God’s blessing extends to the ends of the earth. It is not limited to a time and place. Humanity’s healing is available through the universal work of God.
The bible ends with the beautiful vision of humanity’s healing. God’s work is not limited to people but includes the cosmos. New heavens, new earth, and a new Jerusalem all symbolise future healing. The nations will come to God willingly and participate in a morally clean society. The Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, will provide the Light for the ideal community.
John’s gospel reminds us that God’s kingdom begins with our keeping Christ’s words. He emphasises it is more than memorising a set of principles or living by a code of conduct. He states our discipleship must be anchored in love. God’s peace comes to those who love to keep Christ’s words. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit of Christ, is with every believer today. That same spirit that led Paul to change his isolated thinking leads us on the path to humanity’s healing.