My Dear Friends,
The readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter this year take on a beautiful simplicity when seen through a Franciscan lens: God is not distant, and we are never alone—He is near, dwelling within us and all around us. In the Gospel of John, Jesus promises, “I will not leave you orphans,” and that assurance echoes the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi, who saw God’s presence not only within his own heart, but reflected in all of creation—brother sun, sister moon, even in suffering itself. The Holy Spirit is not an abstract idea; it is the living presence of God, quietly guiding us toward love, humility, and peace.
Franciscan spirituality invites us to receive this presence with simplicity. We don’t have to strive for greatness or control every outcome. Instead, we are called to be attentive—to notice God already at work in the ordinary: in a morning walk, in a kind word, in the rhythm of breath and prayer. The Spirit forms in us a gentle way of living, where love becomes visible not in grand gestures, but in small, faithful acts. This is how we “keep His commandments”—not through rigidity, but through a life shaped by love.
There is also a quiet courage here. Like the early Christians in the Acts of the Apostles, we are sent into the world not with force, but with peace. A Franciscan heart does not argue loudly; it witnesses softly. It trusts that the same Spirit dwelling within us is already moving in others. This frees us to live with humility, reverence, and a deep respect for every person we encounter.
Ultimately, this Sunday reminds us that God’s presence is not something we chase—it is something we awaken to. And when we do, like Francis, we begin to see the world differently: not as something to grasp or fear, but as a place already filled with God’s love, waiting to be recognized and returned.
Peace and All Good,
Fr. Zack
