6th Sunday of Easter (Acts 15:1-2, 22-29; Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23; John 14:23-29):

This Sunday’s readings are all about guidance, reassurance, and God’s glorious GPS, because let’s be honest, sometimes we take a wrong turn (or three) on the road of faith.

In Acts 15, we walk into one of the early Church’s first major debates: do new believers need to follow all the old rules (like circumcision)? The apostles, after prayer and discernment, decide not to “burden” new believers unnecessarily. It’s a beautiful moment of grace over gatekeeping. It’s also a reminder that the Church has always wrestled with complexities.

Then, Revelation 21 paints a breathtaking picture of the New Jerusalem, glowing with God’s presence. No temple, because God is the temple. No need for sun or moon, because God’s glory lights it all up. It’s like the heavenly version of solar power, efficient, eternal, and never in need of changing a lightbulb. Imagine never having to replace batteries in your spiritual flashlight again.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus gives His disciples, and us, a lasting promise: peace. Not the “chill vibes” kind, but the deep, anchoring peace that sustains us in chaos. He says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled,” which feels like the divine version of “Keep calm and carry on,” only much more effective.

This Sunday, we are reminded: faith is not about burdening others but building up. It’s about letting God’s light shine through us and trusting that His peace is stronger than our fears.

Your Priest,

Father Charles