Greetings on this the Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Readings: Acts 22:30; 23:6-11; Ps 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11; Jn 17:20-26
Notes
Jesus prayed saying: “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.” Jesus made a prayer to last through the Ages. I’m not sure if we fully appreciate what he is saying and how deep and expansive his prayer is intended to include! We may be tempted to take his word to include only his air breathing life span. But Jesus Ascended alive in full view with this very prayer in his heart. So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God.
Summary
- Every time a bishop is ordained and consecrated – Jesus pray[s] saying: “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.”
- Every time a baby is baptized – Jesus pray[s] saying: “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.”
- Every time.
Look again
- Look what Jesus gave Paul to do – “Take courage. For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome.”
- Look what the psalmist says about the faithfulness of Jesus sharing the delights at your right hand forever:
Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,
my body, too, abides in confidence;
Because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world,
nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
Reflection
“Love conquers all things; let us too surrender to Love.” – Roman poet Virgil, 19 BC (d).
In some way every baptized brings witness to the Lord Jesus. The baptism itself is a witness of the child, the parents and the godparents. And throughout the life Jesus prays that this Child of God will have a good life and godly life thus spreading the Good News.
Personal Reflection
I rely on Jesus’ prayer.
For this life.
For the life to come.
For all our lives to be ingathered by love unto the Father.
First Reading
The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage. For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome.”
Responsorial
Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
Gospel Acclamation
May they all be one as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that the world may believe that you sent me, says the Lord.
Gospel
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry