April 14, 2026
Second Week of Easter
The Holy Spirit Unites
The community of believers was of one heart and mind…
Acts 4:32

Division is part of the human condition. Across social, political and religious lines, we separate into enclaves, often set one against the other. Endless discord in public life and divisions plague every form of social life, from government to institutions to neighborhoods to the family.

The resurrection of Jesus changes the human condition. In the gift of the Holy Spirit is the promise of newness of life and unity. Where once there was division, enmity and discord, the transforming fire of the love of the Father and the Son draws all people into a Spirit-filled unity.

After the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the Church becomes a powerful sign of unity. The first Christians knew this unifying gift of the Holy Spirit as their living faith gathered around God’s Word and the sacraments. May we, too, experience the same life-giving gift of unity as “the community of believers was of one heart and mind.”

- Jem Sullivan, PhD

Acts 4:32-37 ✚ Psalm 93:1-2, 5 ✚ John 3:7b-15
Mixed race group of young people gathered outdoors, holding hands together. Friendship concept. Image by Roman | stock.adobe.com
Image of the day

Comments

Scott
April 14, 2026 at 12:09 PM

Blessings Jem for the Spirit guiding you to share the devotional today. I believe all of us are united by faith, works, sharing joys, concerns, celebrating baptisms, weddings and comforting people when a mass celebrating one's earthly journey ending and the new life in heaven begins. We are united in our humanity and as Christian people united by the body and blood of Jesus Christ who unconditional love is celebrated every day. I pray that Spirit leads, guides and holds everyone united in prayer, united in doing the work of justice and peace, united to share and show people love...
Read more

Patrick
April 14, 2026 at 10:59 AM

"In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity" is a 17th-century maxim (often misattributed to St. Augustine, actually by Rupertus Meldenius) promoting Christian unity amid theological disagreements. It urges firm consensus on core doctrinal essentials. —-Holy Spirit unite us to the will of God.

Patrick
April 14, 2026 at 10:58 AM

"In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity" is a 17th-century maxim (often misattributed to St. Augustine, actually by Rupertus Meldenius) promoting Christian unity amid theological disagreements. It urges firm consensus on core doctrinal essentials. —-Holy Spirit unite us to the will of God.

freeter
April 14, 2026 at 09:47 AM

Amen. :)

Salina (not in control)
April 14, 2026 at 09:44 AM

Praying for God’s wisdom be with Rubio and His hands, favor and success in the peace talk happening today in DC hosted by Rubio and between the countries Israel and Lebanon ✝️ in 1 Peter 3:8-12, “Finally, I want all of you to agree with one another. Be understanding. Love one another. Be kind and tender. Be humble. Don’t pay back evil with evil. Don’t pay back unkind words with unkind words. Instead, pay back evil with kind words. This is what you have been chosen to do. You will receive a blessing by doing this. Scripture says, “Suppose someone wants to...
Read more

CBR
April 14, 2026 at 09:14 AM

May we all be unified as one in Jesus name I pray Amen Amen Amen God be with us all

ADV
April 14, 2026 at 09:10 AM

AMEN!

Stormi
April 14, 2026 at 08:27 AM

Jem I always appreciate your comments with words of encouragement. I guess I am a hopeless dreamer to dream of a world where all people stop hurting others and judging others but to be of that one mind to live in unity of love for not only themselves but others. Blessings to all the LFF, especially those with extra needs these days. Holy Spirit hug this entire world with the warm love of God to guide us to a more unified world! Today I see a warm cloud of light shining down on all to fill our hearts with Peace,...
Read more

Scott
April 14, 2026 at 12:04 PM

Blessings to you Stormi, thank you for your comments which also makes me smile with joy. We are all working for God's kingdom to come on this earth as the resurrection promises us to be united in perfect harmony with faith, justice, peace, joy and love so may it be.

Stormi
April 14, 2026 at 08:51 AM

Vicky G. Thank you for telling me this. Your smile has spread to my heart thank you. I now have a new phrase and hope. You are an amazing person. Virtual hug to you, Garrett and your family. I will still hope for a heavenly earth tho LOL

Vicky G
April 14, 2026 at 08:40 AM

Stormi your words made me smile today as they remind me of my own advice I need to heed. Garrett has asked a thousand times over the years why is “it’ like that? why does “life” have to be this way? And I after the 1st 100 times I boiled it down to “Because this ain’t heaven”. As he’s grown it gets to be an answer that we both have a shared little laugh between us because we now remind each other of this. We do our part to bring God’s kingdom but we remember here on Earth is not...
Read more

Gary
April 14, 2026 at 08:24 AM

Unity, may it be among us. Amen!

Mike
April 14, 2026 at 08:54 AM

Amen

Salina (not in control)
April 14, 2026 at 02:14 AM

How does this “Spirit-filled unity” happen? *** Must be born again in the Spirit to receive the Holy Spirit in Acts 3:5-7, “Jesus answered, “What I’m about to tell you is true. No one can enter God’s kingdom unless they are born with water and the Holy Spirit. People give birth to people. But the Spirit gives birth to Spirit. You should not be surprised when I say, ‘You must all be born again!” *** Believe in the Son of man, Jesus Christ, in John 3:11-13, “What I’m (Jesus) about to tell you is true. We speak about what we...
Read more

Salina (not in control)
April 14, 2026 at 06:47 AM

Correction: the first reference should be John 3:5-7 and not Acts :3:5-7

Mixed race group of young people gathered outdoors, holding hands together. Friendship concept. Image by Roman | stock.adobe.com
Image of the day

STAY CONNECTED

requestbnr

Living Faith provides brief daily Catholic devotions based on one of the Mass readings of the day. Published new each quarter, these reflections are written by women and men from a variety of backgrounds - lay people as well as clergy and religious. Learn more.

Receive a free reflection for Sundays every week via email

About Living Faith Living Faith Foundation Ambassador Privacy Policy F.A.Q. Contact Us

© 2026 Creative Communications for the Parish, a division of Bayard, lnc. All Rights Reserved.