Seventh Sunday of Easter
Acts 7:55-60; Rev. 22:12-14, 16-17, 20; Jn.17:20-26 I
“I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as you, O God are in me and I am in You, that they also may be one in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
It is almost beyond our comprehension to realize that at the Last Supper, as He was preparing to meet His death, Jesus thought of us. Even before we were created, He knew us and saw us as a gift given to Him by God. He prayed for us that we might be united with each other and that we might all be one in God.
What wonderful things our God has done for us! In revealing God to us, Jesus has made it possible for us to experience the love He shares with God and for His divine life to live in us as well. It is an awesome thought but a true one, our God desires union with us!
But with such a wonderful gift comes great responsibility, a responsibility not only to maintain and foster that union within us but also to manifest it to others. In this way, the world (or the portion of it with which we interact) will come to believe that Jesus is the Savior sent by God.
How shall we do this? Perhaps we are not called, as Stephen was in today’s first reading, to give up our lives for Christ. But we are called to speak the truth, as he did. We are called, as Jesus was, to challenge unjust structures and practices, to speak out on behalf of justice and yes, even to suffer for justice if necessary, as so many of our brothers and sisters are doing throughout the world.
But we do not have to do it alone. We have a wonderful support system in all those who have come to believe in Jesus. We can also take consolation in knowing that Jesus has prayed that we might be successful in our quest for unity with each other and with God. Let us then commit ourselves to live each day in such a way that Jesus’ prayer for us may be answered.
Prayer: Generous God, you desire to share life with us. May we always be worthy of that desire and may we, through our actions, promote unity among all believers so that together we may bring about your reign in our own time. Amen.
Sister Michaela Connolly, OP
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