The Holy Spirit: Breaking Barriers and Building New Realities

This week's lectionary readings for the Fifth Sunday of Easter (May 18, 2025) offer a powerful message of inclusion, renewal, and love, all driven by the Holy Spirit. The readings from Acts, Revelation, and John, alongside the uplifting Psalm, weave together a narrative of God's expansive grace and the transformative power of divine love.

Acts 11:1-18: The Spirit's Uncontainable Reach

The passage from Acts recounts Peter's experience with Cornelius, a Gentile, and the subsequent controversy it stirred within the early church. Peter is challenged for eating with uncircumcised men, a violation of Jewish custom. His defense is not based on his own authority, but on the undeniable work of the Holy Spirit.

Peter recounts his vision of the sheet filled with animals and God's command to "kill and eat," followed by the declaration that "What God has made clean, you must not call profane." This vision, coupled with the Spirit's guidance to accompany the men sent by Cornelius, leads Peter to witness the Holy Spirit falling upon the Gentiles "just as it had upon us at the beginning."

Peter's ultimate argument is irrefutable: "If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?" The realization that God's grace extends beyond the boundaries of Jewish tradition silences the critics and leads them to praise God for granting "even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life." This passage highlights the Holy Spirit's role in breaking down barriers and expanding the community of faith.

Psalm 148: A Universal Chorus of Praise

Psalm 148 is a jubilant call to praise God from all creation. From the heavens to the earth, from angels to animals, all are summoned to acknowledge God's glory. This psalm reinforces the theme of universality found in Acts. God's splendor is not limited to one people or place, but is evident throughout the cosmos. The psalm reminds us that we are part of a vast, interconnected web of creation, all called to give praise to the one who established it.

Revelation 21:1-6: A New Creation

The reading from Revelation offers a vision of hope and renewal. John sees "a new heaven and a new earth," where the old order of things has passed away. The "new Jerusalem" descends from heaven, a symbol of God's dwelling among mortals. This passage speaks of a future where "death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more."

God's promise to "make all things new" is a powerful affirmation of hope in the face of suffering and brokenness. The Holy Spirit is the driving force behind this renewal, bringing about a world where God's presence is fully realized and all things are made whole.

John 13:31-35: The Command to Love

In the Gospel reading, Jesus gives his disciples "a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another." This commandment is not merely a suggestion, but a defining characteristic of Christian discipleship. Jesus states, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Love, in this context, is not simply a feeling, but a concrete action. It is a willingness to sacrifice for the well-being of others, to extend grace and compassion, and to break down the barriers that divide us. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live out this commandment, enabling us to love as Christ loved.

Connecting the Threads

These readings, taken together, paint a picture of a God who is constantly at work in the world, breaking down barriers, renewing creation, and calling us to love one another. The Holy Spirit is the common thread that runs through each passage, empowering us to embrace God's expansive grace and to participate in the building of a new reality. As we reflect on these readings, may we be open to the Spirit's leading, that we may be instruments of love, reconciliation, and renewal in the world.