Saturday of the 6th Week of Easter

• First Reading – Acts 18:23-28: Apollos, educated in scripture, taught about Jesus in Ephesus. After learning more from Priscilla and Aquila, he helped believers in Achaia and argued that Jesus is the Christ.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 47: The Lord reigns as supreme ruler, governing all nations from His sacred throne, and unites leaders under His rule, displaying His unmatched supremacy.
• Gospel – John 16:23b-28: Jesus teaches His disciples about the power of prayer in His name. He assures them that the Father will grant whatever they ask in His name, emphasizing the unity between the Father, Himself, and the disciples as they approach God with their prayers.

Lectionary Reference: 296

Upcoming dates: May 16, 2026, May 8, 2027, May 27, 2028, May 12, 2029, June 1, 2030, May 24, 2031, May 8, 2032, May 28, 2033

Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.

John 16:23

On Saturday of the 6th Week of Easter, the readings invite us to think about growth in faith, prayer, and learning. We see how the early Church supported one another and how Jesus taught His followers to trust in the Father.

• Learning through others: Apollos knew much about Scripture, but he still needed guidance from Priscilla and Aquila. This shows that we all grow in faith through the help and wisdom of others.
• Helping the Church grow: Apollos used his gifts to teach and support other believers. His work helped strengthen the Church and bring more people to know Jesus.
• Power of prayer in Jesus’ name: Jesus reminds His followers that prayers made in His name will be heard. This teaches us to pray with trust, knowing the Father listens when we come through Jesus.
• Unity between Jesus and the Father: Jesus speaks of His close connection with the Father. This helps us understand that when we turn to Jesus, we are also turning to God.
• Faith that leads to action: Apollos did not just learn—he also acted. His example shows that faith should lead us to do something, not just know things in our minds.
• God’s work through people: Both readings show how God works through ordinary people to carry out His plan. Apollos, Priscilla, and Aquila all played different roles, but each one helped others grow in faith.

Saturday of the 6th Week of Easter reminds us that God teaches, guides, and strengthens us through others and through prayer. These readings call us to stay open to learning and to trust that God is always working through our lives.

The readings for Saturday of the 6th Week of Easter invite us to think about how we grow in faith, how we live in unity with others, and how we trust God through prayer. Apollos’ openness to learning and the words of Jesus about prayer show us that God continues to guide us through others and through our relationship with Him. These passages remind us that our faith grows stronger when we are willing to listen, share, and stay close to God.

Humble Learning Leads to Growth

The story of Apollos in the reading for Saturday of the 6th Week of Easter gives us a powerful lesson. He was already a skilled speaker who taught about Jesus with passion. Still, he was open to being taught by Aquila and Priscilla. Even with all his knowledge, he understood that there was still more to learn.

Apollos did not let pride get in the way. He listened and accepted their help, which allowed him to grow stronger in his mission. His learning did not stop him—it helped him become more effective in sharing the message of Jesus. This shows us how important it is to be willing to listen and learn from others.

In our lives, we may think we know enough about faith or feel like we do not need help. But like Apollos, we need to remain open. God sends people into our lives to guide us, just as He sent Aquila and Priscilla to Apollos.

Saturday of the 6th Week of Easter reminds us that growth takes humility. We are all on a journey, and there is always more to learn. When we accept this, we grow in wisdom and faith. Apollos shows us that humble learning leads to deeper faith and better service.

Living in Unity With Christ

In the Gospel reading for Saturday of the 6th Week of Easter, Jesus speaks about the unity between Himself, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. He invites His followers to share in that unity. This teaches us that faith is not something we live alone—it connects us to God and to one another.

This unity means we are part of something greater. When we follow Jesus, we become part of His body, the Church. We support one another, pray for one another, and grow together. Faith is strongest when we live it with others.

Unity also means working for peace and understanding. We are called to put aside selfishness and work together in love. When we live this way, others can see the love of God at work in us. Our unity becomes a witness to the world.

Saturday of the 6th Week of Easter calls us to remember that Jesus did not come to separate but to bring people together. We are united in Him, and that unity should shape how we speak, act, and live. Jesus shows us that unity with God leads to peace, strength, and purpose.

Prayer as a Way of Trust

Prayer is a clear theme in the Gospel for Saturday of the 6th Week of Easter. Jesus tells His followers to pray in His name and promises that the Father listens. This shows us that prayer is not just about asking—it is about trust and relationship.

When we pray in Jesus’ name, we are turning to God with the trust that He hears and cares. Jesus is our bridge to the Father. He encourages us to speak openly and to believe that our prayers matter. This is not just about words—it is about faith in God’s love and care.

The reading shows that prayer brings us closer to God. It also reminds us that we do not pray alone. As believers, we lift up one another in prayer, just as Apollos was supported by others in his mission. Prayer builds trust and connects us more deeply to God and to our community.

Saturday of the 6th Week of Easter teaches us to rely on prayer as part of daily life. When we bring our needs and joys to God, we grow in trust. We may not always see the answers right away, but we can be sure that God is near. Prayer opens our hearts and helps us walk more closely with Jesus.

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As we reflect on Saturday of the 6th Week of Easter, we are reminded that following Jesus means staying open, building unity, and praying with trust. Whether we are teaching, learning, or simply living out our faith day by day, we are called to walk with God and with one another. May these reflections help us stay close to Jesus and support each other on the journey.

Prayer

Lord, help me to stay open to learning and to follow your way with humility. Teach me to live in peace with others and to trust you through prayer. Give me the strength to grow in faith each day and to walk closely with you.

Reflection Questions

• Am I willing to learn from others, even when I already feel confident in my faith?
• How do I help build unity in my faith community?
• Do I truly believe that God hears my prayers?
• What is one area of my life where I need to grow in trust or understanding?

Word on Fire: Why Even Ask?

Bishop Robert Barron’s reflection for the Saturday of the 6th Week of Easter discusses the nature of prayer and God’s role as a parent. He explains that while God knows our needs before we ask, He still encourages us to pray. Like a parent, God enjoys hearing our requests but may not always answer in the ways we expect. This teaches us about the deeper purpose of prayer in our relationship with God.

What date is Saturday of the 6th Week of Easter?

The next date is Saturday May 16, 2026.

What are the Mass readings for Saturday of the 6th Week of Easter?

The Mass readings for Saturday May 16, 2026 are:
First Reading – Acts 18:23-28: Journey of Faith and Instruction
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 47: Rejoice in the Reign of God
Gospel – John 16:23b-28: The Power of Prayer and Unity in Christ

What does Apollos do in the first reading?

Apollos teaches about Jesus in Ephesus. He later learns more from Aquila and Priscilla and goes on to help others understand that Jesus is the Christ.

Why is Apollos’ openness important?

Apollos shows that even those who teach others can still grow. He listens and learns, which helps him teach with more truth and clarity.

What role do Aquila and Priscilla play?

They quietly help Apollos understand the faith better. Their actions show that sharing the truth with kindness can help others grow.

What lesson can we learn from Apollos on Saturday of the 6th Week of Easter?

We learn that being open to correction and learning is part of growing in faith. Even strong teachers need help sometimes.

Why is the Gospel reading focused on prayer?

Jesus teaches that we can ask the Father for anything in His name. This shows that prayer connects us closely to God.

What does it mean to pray in Jesus’ name?

It means asking with trust and according to Jesus’ will. It shows our faith in Him and our desire to follow Him.

How does Saturday of the 6th Week of Easter remind us about unity?

The Gospel shows that Jesus is one with the Father and wants us to be close to Him. This teaches us that faith is not meant to be lived alone.

Why is unity important in the Church?

Unity helps us grow and support each other. When we are united, our faith becomes stronger and we reflect God’s love.

What does Saturday of the 6th Week of Easter teach about growth in faith?

It shows that faith grows when we listen and stay open to learning. Like Apollos, we are always being shaped by God through others.

How can we apply the message of Saturday of the 6th Week of Easter in our lives?

We can look for ways to grow in faith, listen to others with wisdom, and pray with trust. We can also help others grow, just like Aquila and Priscilla did.

Why is teaching with truth important in faith?

Teaching with truth helps people understand who Jesus really is. When we teach clearly, others can come to know and follow Him more deeply.