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Sixth Sunday of Easter • Year A
May 10, 2026
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Historical Collect
O God, all good things can come from you alone; generously consider then our humble prayers. Inspire us to consider what is true and direct us to accomplish what is right; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. He lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Gelasian Sacramentary, 7th Century)
Thematic Collect
Gracious God, in the sacrament of Baptism, you bless us with the presence of your Son, dwelling in us, and the gift of your Holy Spirit as our advocate. Grant that we may treasure this gift above all else, following Christ in obedience and humility; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The Common Thread
Have you been led into trouble lately? Have you felt your security slip? All of our readings today deal with this issue: being surrounded by a culture of idols, the crushing burdens and refining tests of the psalmist, suffering for righteousness, losing a loved one. God will not let you slip altogether. He has given you his Spirit so that you may have confidence—in the day of judgment, but also now, when you need peace. Listen! The Holy Spirit is reminding you of all of God’s promises in Christ, including his promise of peace in troubled times.
First Reading • Acts 17:16–31
Paul has the opportunity to tell philosophers who are interested in all the gods, about the one God who is not far from each of them (Acts 17:27). He explains how God cannot be made of elements by humans since we are God’s offspring, and even we are not so made. The epicureans likely thought him daft, believing as they did that the gods held no interest for humanity. The stoics believed there was a spark of divinity in everything. As such, they believed they could find God, or at least truth, quite literally, in themselves. Whatever else we see in this reading, we see that Paul is on trial. He does not, as we would expect, back down before these philosophers, but is ready to give them a reason for the hope that was in him (1 Peter 3:15).
Psalm • Psalm 66:8–20
The psalmist calls us to praise the God who purposely leads us into trouble (Psalm 66:10–12). There are three reasons for such praise. First, he purifies us with such testing (Psalm 66:10). Second, he burdens us for our own good. God puts us through afflictions so that we may come out to a place of abundance on the other end (Psalm 66:12). Third, he tries us so that we may learn to trust him with our souls (Psalm 66:16).
Second Reading • 1 Peter 3:13–22
Even if we suffer the worst, we have something that cannot be taken away, and nothing compares to this gift from God. Those who persecute the Church, though they may have many earthly goods, have nothing but their possessions, and then they die, leaving it all behind. The baptized may lose their possessions and even their lives, but they have eternal life. And, meanwhile, they have something to offer their persecutors. Without fear, like Christ who proclaimed to those “in prison,” we are to be ready to offer the reason for our hope to those who persecute us.
Gospel • John 14:15–21
We love security. Humans are bred on it from the womb and do not like being far from feelings of safety and peace. Jesus knew that his disciples would soon be facing the worst feelings of insecurity. Imagine having been in the company of the Prince of Peace for years, only to have this peace that surpassed your understanding suddenly removed. Jesus consoles them by saying he will not leave them orphaned. When he is gone, he will send another, appropriately called the Comforter (John 14:26 KJV), who will indwell them, always reminding them of the peace of God.
Resources
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