The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary, today, remind us to be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our labour in the vineyard of the Lord.
The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes the growth of Christianity into Europe.
* [16:10–17] This is the first of the so-called “we-sections” in Acts, where Luke writes as one of Paul’s companions. The other passages are Acts 20:5–15; 21:1–18; 27:1–28:16. Scholars debate whether Luke may not have used the first person plural simply as a literary device to lend color to the narrative. The realism of the narrative, however, lends weight to the argument that the “we” includes Luke or another companion of Paul whose data Luke used as a source.
* [16:11–40] The church at Philippi became a flourishing community to which Paul addressed one of his letters (see Introduction to the Letter to the Philippians).
* [16:14] A worshiper of God: a “God-fearer.” See note on Acts 8:26–40. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 149 invites the people of Israel to celebrate their God.
* [Psalm 149] A hymn inviting the people of Israel to celebrate their God in song and festive dance (Ps 149:1–3, 5) because God has chosen them and given them victory (Ps 149:4). The exodus and conquest are the defining acts of Israel; the people must be ready to do again those acts in the future at the divine command (Ps 149:6–9). (Psalms, PSALM 149 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of John, Jesus proclaims a Paraclete is to be sent by the Father.
* [15:26] Whom I will send: in Jn 14:16, 26, the Paraclete is to be sent by the Father, at the request of Jesus. Here the Spirit comes from both Jesus and the Father in mission; there is no reference here to the eternal procession of the Spirit. (John, CHAPTER 15|USCCB, n.d.)
* [16:2] Hour: of persecution, not Jesus’ “hour” (see note on Jn 2:4). (John, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)
Michele Bogard comments she has never listened to Christian or Catholic radio. But thanks to her son (and no doubt his religion teacher at school!), it may be the most played station in her car nowadays.
I can’t help but think about my unconscious eye roll when the radio came on just an hour earlier. It wasn’t my choice. It was a Christian station. All the stereotypes flew into my mind. And yet, I kept the station on as I drove home. Perhaps it was to feel close to my son. But maybe it was also the Holy Spirit gently nudging me to embrace my faith. To sit with my preconceived notions of the radio station and what others must be like who listen to it. And just maybe it was a moment where I was reminded to be proud of my faith and to defend it…not from external persecution but from my own questioning and internal battle. (Bogard, 2026)
The Irish Jesuits have a website called Sacred Space. An anonymous poster adds “St Ignatius of Loyola is said to have prayed that the members of the order he founded would always be persecuted—it was a sign that they were doing their job. It is a strange paradox, but the message of Christian love and forgiveness, a message of peace and justice, is found by many to be very threatening and one that must be attacked.”
May we all find that internal and external peace that comes with surrendering to our faith. And may the Holy Spirit continue to light our way. (Bogard, 2026)
Don Schwager quotes “The Comforter is with us in our troubles, by Cyril of Jerusalem, 430-543 A.D.”
"He is called the Comforter because he comforts and encourages us and helps our infirmities. We do not know what we should pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us, with groanings that cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26), that is, he makes intercession to God. Very often, someone has been outraged and dishonored unjustly for the sake of Christ. Martyrdom is at hand; tortures on every side, and fire, and sword, and savage beasts and the pit. But the Holy Spirit softly whispers to him, 'Wait on the Lord' (Psalm 27:14). What is now happening to you is a small matter; the reward will be great. Suffer a little while, and you will be with angels forever. 'The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory that shall be revealed in us' (Romans 8:18). He portrays to the person the kingdom of heaven. He gives him a glimpse of the paradise of delight." (excerpt from CATECHETICAL LECTURES 16.20) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 15:26–16:4 urges us to look at what happened when the Spirit came! Wavering men and women became unshakably convinced that Jesus was the Messiah—and they boldly preached that message. Homegrown fishermen traveled to distant lands to proclaim the truths of Christ that would change millions of lives. They wrote Gospels and letters that instructed new believers in the faith—words that touch our lives even today. All because of the Spirit of truth!
So ask the Holy Spirit to testify to Jesus in your heart today. Take today’s Scripture passages to prayer and expect him to reveal something about Jesus to you. Turn to him during your day, and ask for his guidance to help you follow Jesus better. Bring him your concerns, and know that you can rely on him to be your guiding light when you are confused or when, like the apostles, you face challenges. Keep your heart open to him and his words, confident that he can help you and strengthen you so that you don’t “fall away” into fear or sin or selfishness (John 16:1).
Because the Spirit of truth will testify to Jesus.
“Holy Spirit, help me to hear your testimony about Jesus today!” (Meditation on John 15:26–16:4, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that in Acts Paul has travelled into Greece at Philippi to a place of prayer to meet Lydia, likely a very rich woman in the purple dye trade. She suggests that Paul might live at her house and form a house Church. They would meet in the atrium. It is unclear whether Lydia was the head or host of the community. The Gospel of John speaks about the Advocate, a witness to the Truth and the presence of the Trinity and Jesus indicates that persecution is coming and they will lay down their lives out of love too. Friar Jude ponders if we are not being persecuted, maybe we are not living as a Christian?
Father Richard Rohr, OFM, recounts the circumstances of Julian of Norwich’s mystical experience. What strikes him is the similarity between Julian’s time and our own. Here is how Episcopal priest and scholar Mary Earle describes Julian’s fourteenth-century context.
Julian lived at a time of vast social, [religious,] and political upheaval, incessant wars, and sweeping epidemics. Norwich, with a population of around 25,000 by 1330 … was struck viciously by the plague known as the Black Death. At its peak in the late 1340s in England, it killed approximately three-fourths of the population of Norwich. A young girl at this time, Julian was certainly affected in untold ways by this devastation. When the plague returned, she was about nineteen. [1]
In her anchor-hold, Julian certainly would have recognized the spiritual benefits of contemplation, such as the awakened ability through solitude to be personally present to divine love. Yet we must remember that she also let God’s love flow right through her to those on the street requesting her counsel, and to us through her writings. (Rohr, n.d.)
We seek the inspiration of the Holy Spirit as Paraclete, to instill in us the Power of Love that we may be witnesses to Christ in our actions to “renew the face of the Earth” particularly in times of chaos and persecution.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 11, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/16
Bogard, M. (2026, May 11). Daily Reflection May 11, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved May 11, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-may-11-2026
John, CHAPTER 15|USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Retrieved May 11, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15?26
John, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 11, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16
Meditation on John 15:26–16:4. (n.d.). Word Among Us. https://wau.org/meditations/2026/05/11/1562135/
Psalms, PSALM 149 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 11, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/149
Rohr, R. (n.d.). An Anchor-Hold of Love. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 11, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/an-anchor-hold-of-love/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). When the Counselor Comes, the Spirit of Truth. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 11, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
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