Shikrot Mpwi – Sunday Synopsis
Fr. Justine John DYIKUK
Dear friends in Christ,
On the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year A – 60th World Communications Day (10 May 2026), I bring you greetings and God’s blessings!
Theme: You Will Live
Introduction
Beloved in Christ, in his message for 2026 World Communication’s Day titled, “Preserving Human Voices and Faces,” Pope Leo XIV focuses on ethical AI and digital interaction. He underscores that digital transformation is a “human anthropological” challenge rather than just a technological one, urging that human faces and voices remain central to communication. Meanwhile, as we look forward to the Ascension of the Lord, the apostles were perplexed and worried. However, Jesus urges them to keep his word while assuring that he will not leave them orphans. This warm assurance was followed by the sending of the Holy Spirit.
Review and Summary of the Readings
The first reading recounts (Acts 8:5-8,14-17) how the apostles brought healing and joy to those who were possessed, paralysed, and crippled in Samaria through the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit promised by Christ as the comforter is seen at work bringing succour to the sick. The people of Samaria enjoyed the gift of the Holy Spirit because Peter and Paul laid their hands on them. This becomes the remote stages of the development of doctrine for the sacrament of confirmation.
The second reading (1 Pet 3:15-18) urges us to always explain to anyone the hope we bear. Additionally, St. Peter adds that it should be done with gentleness, reverence and a clear conscience. He further maintains that it is better to suffer for doing good rather than evil, stressing that we should put to death the things of the flesh and live a life of the Spirit.
In the gospel (John 14:15-21), although the disciples of Jesus were overjoyed at Jesus’ resurrection, they were nonetheless disturbed because he was ascending to the Father. Jesus invites them to love Him by keeping His commandments. He also assures us that he would not leave them orphans.
Takeaway Lessons
1. Pope Leo urges responsibility and ethical consideration in the use of AI, calls for its governance among tech industry leaders, lawmakers, and journalists to prevent oligopolistic control of algorithms, and urges everyone to cultivate media and AI literacy through critical thinking, which allows individuals to identify misinformation and protect their personal identity.
2. The first reading disclosed that, in one accord, the crowds keenly listened to what Philip said. In like manner, we are challenged to develop an ardent love for listening to the word of God in the scriptures, as they are interpreted to us by pastors of souls and guarded by the Church’s Magisterium.
3. Just as the early Church was associated with signs and wonders, the contemporary Church must maximise its potential for ministering to the sick in the name of the Lord, the heavenly physician who can do much more than we can ask or imagine.
4. Amid Christian persecution and conflicts around the war, the second reading urges the faithful to imitate Christ by bearing suffering patiently, explaining the hope we bear in gentleness, reverence, and with a clear conscience.
5. With warm assurances that He will not leave us orphans, Jesus insists, “because I live and you will live,” and invites us to embrace the Spirit of truth, which the world hates.
Conclusion
Our liturgy urges us to live out our confirmation commitments by asking the Holy Spirit to help us emulate the apostles who proclaimed Christ without fear or favour. May all those who are hopeless in life remember that God does not leave us orphans. In fact, as a loving Father, He assures that because He lives, we will also live. This means that there is no sickness, hunger, poverty, or difficulty that God cannot deal with. May the Holy Spirit minister to us both now and forever. Amen – Remember to stay safe. Have a fabulous Week!
