The Sixth Sunday of Easter invites us to reflect on the profound themes of love and the Holy Spirit, emphasizing that the true love is rooted in God and expressed through our actions. in Today's readings, love emerges as a central theme. As St. John reminds us, '' Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God''.

The time of the Gospel was the Last Supper, specifically, immediately after Judas had left the table to betray Jesus when he would go to the garden of Gethsemane. The end was near. Jesus had tried so hard to teach his disciples his message of love. This is his final effort with words, the next-to-last words of a man close to death.

Jesus says, "I will give you a new commandment; love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

This Sunday is often called "Good Shepherd Sunday."

Jesus intended the beautiful parable of the Good Shepherd with its many consoling truths and promises for people of every century. The liturgy's primary aim is to portray the present, not the past, to give grace and life along with history.

The parable brings to our attention three consoling truths: Christ gives His life for His sheep; He remains with them constantly through the bond of grace; He will not rest content until there be but one flock and one shepherd.

Today's Gospel shows Peter returning to his old way of life, trying, perhaps, to forget the disastrous events of the crucifixion of his Master. six other Apostles join him. Thomas the former doubter, the two hotheaded sons of zebedee, the faithful and loyal Nathaniel and two others who are not named. Although John mentions that ''it was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.