May 13, 2026 Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter Our Lady of Fatima (Optional Memorial) Gospel: John 16:12–15
Today is Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter, on which the Church celebrates the Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima. According to the provisions of the General Roman Calendar for this year, in regions where the Ascension of the Lord is celebrated tomorrow, the Vigil Mass for the Ascension is to be celebrated this evening. In regions where the celebration of the Ascension has been transferred to the Seventh Sunday of Easter by permission of the Apostolic See, the Feast of St. Matthias the Apostle is observed tomorrow. Mindful of the pastoral needs arising from these liturgical variations, we will provide distinct spiritual reflections corresponding to each observance throughout this year.
The Gospel for Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter is taken from the Holy Gospel according to John. Jesus continues to reveal to us the relationship between Himself and the Father. At times, we may find ourselves perplexed by Jesus’ descriptions of His relationship with the Father, because we do not follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit, but instead interpret His words according to worldly perspectives and the logic of this age. Sometimes, we regard all that is written in Sacred Scripture—particularly the words and deeds of Jesus—as mere fables.
In truth, each of us has received the Spirit of Truth. This Spirit dwells perpetually within the Church; at the moment of our Baptism and Confirmation, He seals our souls with an indelible character. According to the measure of our capacity, He bestows diverse charisms upon us, enabling each of us to fulfill our unique mission. St. Paul teaches us: “God has appointed in the Church first Apostles, second Prophets, third Teachers, then workers of miracles, healers, helpers, administrators, and speakers in various tongues” (cf. 1 Cor 12:27–28). When we follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit and wisely employ the graces He grants us, we intimately experience His presence. Through Him, we come to know the Word of God and, through that Word, are led to the Heavenly Father. Thus, we live within the perfect love of the Most Holy Trinity.
May Our Lady of Fatima intercede for us before the throne of God, that we may imitate her example by being attentive to the Word of God and faithfully fulfilling the vocation bestowed upon us. Amen.
May 12, 2026 Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Easter Optional Memorial of Saints Nereus and Achilleus, Martyrs Optional Memorial of Saint Pancras, Martyr Gospel: John 16:5–11
Today is Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Easter. The Church celebrates the Optional Memorials of three holy martyrs: Saints Nereus, Achilleus, and Pancras. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus continues to speak to us about the Spirit of Truth.
Each of us has received this Spirit of Truth. When we first came to the Church to attend catechumenate classes, the Spirit of Truth proclaimed God’s truth to us through the voice of the Church. When we received the Sacraments of Initiation, He sealed our foreheads and souls with an indelible mark through the hands of the ordained ministers. When we participate in Holy Mass, He speaks to us through the pastors sent by the Son, who sends Him, and helps us to understand the Word of God. When we prepare for Confession, He enlightens us and assists us in making a worthy preparation, so that through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we may be restored to friendship with God and with the world. When we are ill, He strengthens us through the sacred ministers of the Church—built by the Son upon Saint Peter—who administer the Anointing of the Sick, granting us fortitude to endure suffering.
We know that the Spirit of Truth—the Holy Spirit—proceeds from the Father and the Son. He is Lord and Giver of Life, worshipped and glorified together with the Father and the Son. From the beginning of creation, He was present (cf. Gen 1). At the outset of Jesus’ public ministry, He descended upon Him in the form of a dove (cf. Matt 3:13–17). He led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the devil (cf. Matt 4:1–11). After Jesus’ Ascension, He appeared in the sound of a mighty wind and tongues of fire, filling the hearts of the Apostles gathered in the Upper Room, enabling them to speak in diverse tongues (cf. Acts 2:1–13). Thus, the Holy Spirit is fully engaged in the work of creation and the redemption of humanity.
Each of us has received the Holy Spirit in the Sacraments of Initiation. Once we have received Him, He dwells within our hearts, helping us in our weakness and interceding for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words (cf. Rom 8:26). Therefore, if we look with the eyes of faith and listen with the ears of faith, we will hear His sighs and perceive the gifts He works within us.
Let us pray that the three martyrs we commemorate today may intercede for us before God, that we may receive the Holy Spirit worthily and live in a manner befitting the spirit of God’s Word. Amen.
Saints Nereus, Achilleus, and Pancras, pray for us! Holy Spirit, I trust in You!
May 11, 2026 Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter Gospel: John 15:26–16:4a
Today is the Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter. We draw ever closer to the Solemnity of Ascension. During this season, the Gospel passages we hear are taken from the Farewell Discourse of Jesus in the Gospel of John, spoken to His disciples before His Passion. Today, Jesus reveals the Paraclete to us through the gospel according to John.
In ancient tradition, the term “Paraclete” was rendered as “Comforter,” referring to One who brings consolation and abides with us always. Here, Jesus speaks of the Paraclete as the Spirit of God who hovered over the waters at creation: the Holy Spirit, eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son.
The Holy Spirit dwells perpetually within the Church, accompanying her and bestowing diverse graces. When we need healing, He grants us comfort through the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. When we seek reconciliation with God, He enlightens us and guides our examination of conscience, preparing us to be restored to grace through the Sacrament of Penance, so that our hearts may attain true peace and joy. He does not speak on His own authority, but teaches us, that we may remember all that Jesus has taught us.
At times, we struggle to recall the words of Jesus, for then we are under the sway of sin, which estranges us from God and draws us toward the ruler of this world. Sin leads us to live as children of darkness. Such are those who presume that faith in God should advance their worldly success; they demand that Jesus sanction their unjust deeds, lest their conscience be troubled by God’s judgment.
We, too, may experience rejection by our own community. When we are not accepted, how do we respond? Do we seek vengeance, or do we pray for them? If we choose retaliation, we prove ourselves children of the devil, for the children of God do not hate those who hate them. If we pray for them, is it from a sincere heart? If our prayers are mere formality, we remain children of the devil, for the children of God love all people genuinely and from the heart.
Grant, O merciful God, that we may experience at all times the fruit produced by the paschal observances. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever
全属于祢 
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