SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
THEME OF TODAY’S LITURGY: "PRAYING FOR OTHERS"
FIRST READING: (read slowly and meditatively)
Acts 1:15-17, 20a, 20c-26
Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers
--there was a group of about one hundred and twenty persons
in the one place --.
He said, "My brothers,
the Scripture had to be fulfilled
which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand
through the mouth of David, concerning Judas,
who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus.
He was numbered among us
and was allotted a share in this ministry.
"For it is written in the Book of Psalms:
May another take his office.
"Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men
who accompanied us the whole time
the Lord Jesus came and went among us,
beginning from the baptism of John
until the day on which he was taken up from us,
become with us a witness to his resurrection."
So they proposed two, Judas called Barsabbas,
who was also known as Justus, and Matthias.
Then they prayed,
"You, Lord, who know the hearts of all,
show which one of these two you have chosen
to take the place in this apostolic ministry
from which Judas turned away to go to his own place."
Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias,
and he was counted with the eleven apostles.
Reflection: (put yourself into the time/happenings of the reading and meditate on each reflection to help you understand )
Matthias Chosen
A new apostle is appointed to restore the Apostles to twelve following the betrayal of Judas. Twelve is the new symbolic reference to the leaders of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. The Twelve represent the creation of the new Israel.
Today’s reading takes place between Ascension and Pentecost.
During this twelve-day period the band of apostles set out to restore their membership to twelve with the addition of a new member.
Membership in the Twelve required that the apostle had to have been a first hand, living witness of Christ and his mission from the death of John the Baptist through his resurrection and ascension.
With the demise of Judas full membership had to be restored.
The Twelve were chosen as a sign and a symbolic replacement of the twelve patriarchs that led the twelve tribes of Israel; thus the number twelve was symbolically significant.
The resurrection of Christ signaled the last, eschatological age. The twelve tribes were now rendered obsolete, replaced by the twelve apostles in the new age of the covenant Christ forged by his death and resurrection.
The Twelve represented the inauguration of the new Israel, called and commissioned by Jesus to accomplish his eschatological mission to gather all people of the world into Christ.
Jesus launched the new messianic age and the apostles would be the leaders of that messianic reign.
Originally there were more than twelve who were considered apostolic witnesses, but the early church eventually narrowed the designation apostle to the Twelve.
The word apostle came from naval roots. Gentile use of the word referred to apostle as a naval contingency or army sent to establish a new colony. Jews appropriated the term to mean ambassador: the rabbis sent the ambassador out to preach, lay hands on people and extend the same power in the authority of the one who sent them.
Eventually the apostle was understood as one sent to preach God’s word and confer the Holy Spirit in the name and authority of Jesus Christ.
Paul was in constant tension with those who insisted he did not possess the necessary criteria to be called an apostle. Many people did not accept him and questioned his authority. He did not walk with the earthly Jesus; he only encountered him in his resurrected presence—what an encounter it was!
Paul insisted that he indeed possessed rightful claim to that title as he saw Jesus in his resurrected presence and that was all that was needed.
Apostles, through the power of the Holy Spirit, were strengthened and empowered by the Holy Spirit and were responsible for delegating other leaders for the community.
The apostles were guardians of the deposit of faith and were responsible for the teaching mission of the fledgling church.
The appointment of Matthias was considered God’s work and part of his plan for the salvation of the world.
The means by which he was appointed—the casting of lots—was understood as God freely making the choice between Joseph and Mathias.
Peter praises God’s choice and assumes his leadership role in the appointment of the new apostle. Peter assumes Jesus’ teaching role.
Christ opened the hearts and minds of the disciples to recognize Peter in the role for which he was destined.
Peter was able to convince them that what they had experienced in the Christ event was the fulfillment of messianic prophecy. All that was promised in sacred Scripture was fulfilled in Christ.
Peter’s faith in Christ inspires others to faith and action.
Questions: (what does the text say to you specifically, and what do you want to say to God about it?)
What is the Good News for us today in this reading?
What did you learn about the appointment of Matthias to the Twelve?
What does this segment teach us about the Church in general?
What does this reading teach us about God’s role in the life of the Church?
What does this reading teach us about leadership in the Church?
What does this reading teach you about God’s relationship in your life?
CONTEMPLATION: (be still, rest in God’s presence, and listen to what God is saying to you)
BE STILL - LISTEN - DWELL - ABIDE.
SECOND READING: (read slowly and meditatively)
1 Jn 4:11-16
Beloved, if God so loved us,
we also must love one another.
No one has ever seen God.
Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us,
and his love is brought to perfection in us.
This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us,
that he has given us of his Spirit.
Moreover, we have seen and testify
that the Father sent his Son as savior of the world.
Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God,
God remains in him and he in God.
We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us.
God is love, and whoever remains in love
remains in God and God in him.
Reflection: (put yourself into the time/happenings of the reading and meditate on each reflection to help you understand )
Love for One Another
John reminds his community that evidence of one’s love for God and for the truth that God resides in the human heart is that person’s profession of faith in the Christ—Son of the living God.
The Lectionary wants us to know without question the extent of God’s love for us.
For weeks we have reflected on the love of God manifested in his Son, Jesus.
John insists that we do not have to search any further for God than our own heart. God resides in the human heart.
Again the evangelist reiterates that God is the source of all love.
Thus, God’s love is to flow out from us to one another.
God’s love is fully manifested in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Christ.
In spite of the repetition of previous weeks, John does posit a new insight. He insists that evidence that God resides in the human heart is observed when people make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior of the world.
The Gnostic element in John’s community gave little deference not only to Jesus’ cross and resurrection but also to his actual incarnation.
Jesus was hardly an issue for them at all.
Gnostics believed that their special “gnosis” (knowledge) afforded them the privilege of being in relationship with God without the intervention of Christ.
John insists that to be in relationship with God one must embrace the Paschal Mystery—the life, mission, passion, death, resurrection, ascension into glory and the sending of the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ as well as the reality that he is the eternal Son of God.
Love, not knowledge per se, is the most effective pathway to God. Even though we come to God through our whole being—body, soul, mind and spirit—love is the driving force behind the intimacy with God to which we are called and destined.
The implication is self-kenosis—an outpouring of the self into the loving embrace of God—abandonment of our entire being into God’s loving embrace.
Questions: (what does the text say to you specifically, and what do you want to say to God about it?)
What is the Good News in this reading?
Is there evidence in your life that God dwells in your heart? What is that evidence according to John and your own experience?
(If you did not get to these questions last week they still apply to today)
How would you describe God’s love according to your own experience of it?
What does John teach us about God’s love? What does it have to do with your life?
What are the implications of God’s love for your life according to the evangelist?
CONTEMPLATION: (be still, rest in God’s presence, and listen to what God is saying to you)
BE STILL - LISTEN - DWELL - ABIDE.
GOSPEL: (read slowly and meditatively)
Jn 17:11b-19
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying:
"Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me,
so that they may be one just as we are one.
When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me,
and I guarded them, and none of them was lost
except the son of destruction,
in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
But now I am coming to you.
I speak this in the world
so that they may share my joy completely.
I gave them your word, and the world hated them,
because they do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
I do not ask that you take them out of the world
but that you keep them from the evil one.
They do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world,
so I sent them into the world.
And I consecrate myself for them,
so that they also may be consecrated in truth."
Reflection: (put yourself into the time/happenings of the reading and meditate on each reflection to help you understand )
Jesus’ Prayer for the Disciples
Today’s Gospel is part of an extended prayer in which Jesus directs his prayer to the Father.
This prayer has been referred to as the high priestly prayer of Jesus since about the sixteenth century.
Jesus’ prayer was prayed at the Last Supper on the night before he died, on the night before he would embrace the cross, endure torture and death and ultimately rise from the dead.
The prayer reminds us that through Christ’s resurrection the Father glorified the Son.
Jesus prepared his disciples for what they were about to experience; he wanted them to look back and remember his words so they would understand the meaning of his death and resurrection.
Jesus recognized that the time had arrived for the fulfillment of his mission.
God would be glorified and God’s love for humanity would be revealed in the amazing event that was about to unfold before them.
Jesus addressed his prayer to his Father (not the disciples); this would be his last with them, this was their teachable moment, this was his farewell address.
Jesus interceded on their behalf (thus the term priestly prayer of Jesus) and on behalf of all believers yet to come.
He prayed for the protection of God and that their love and unity resemble the love and unity that exists between the Father and Son.
John’s Gospel so connects the cross with the Resurrection that that Jesus’ prayer before his Passion and death is about glory and glorification—that which awaits all believers.
Believers who know (body, soul, spirit and mind) God and who know Jesus are privileged to know eternal life—they are living in the present reality of it. It is now and not yet.
His disciples can be confident that Jesus’ prayer will be answered because they have already experienced the immediate answer to Jesus’ prayers in the raising of Lazarus.
Jesus answer to all of life’s situations is prayer. He gives us an important example in today’s Gospel. Prayer is always the answer to whatever life brings.
Jesus’ intercessory prayer on behalf of the disciples will continue into eternity once he sits at his Father’s right hand.
In addition to the above material there are several other interesting elements in this Gospel for our reflection.
Jesus prayed for protection from Satan and from the resistance, hostility and obstacles they would face out in the world.
Jesus also prayed that the disciples remain holy, steadfast and righteous as well as faithful to the truth.
The prayer for protection must be understood within the cultural context of first century Palestine. Protection was the responsibility of the clan, group or community.
The entire group was expected to rise up to protect the community in the face of danger or evil.
Life only existed within the clan. The world was a hostile place and exile from the community was understood a death sentence.
Jesus alludes to two groups—the world and his own followers. The world was hostile to the latter.
Jesus insists that the world is under the influence of Satan. Thus the only way to defeat such a formidable foe is to appeal to a more powerful advocate.
Jesus’ Father is that advocate.
Jesus also prayed that the disciples be made holy—he asks God to sanctify them—to set them apart for a holy purpose.
He prays that they be sanctified for the preaching and healing mission that would go forth after Jesus’ resurrection.
Disciples are to become holy by setting themselves apart from those forces that are corrupt and that work against the purpose of God.
Jesus prays for unity of the community. This unity envisions a new community—a new society—a society set apart from the world. This new community envisions a new way of living and being in the world. It envisions what it means to establish the reign of God—a reign in which all members are equal in the eyes of God—a reign in which the Gospel is a message of attraction—people want to enter the kingdom because of the way in which they have watched the citizens of that kingdom live their lives.
Jesus also exhorts his disciples to be steadfast and to persevere in the face of persecution. Satan will not win. Jesus was victorious over Satan and the disciples can expect the same.
They need not fear when put on trial for their faith. The Holy Spirit will give them what they need; the Holy Spirit will advocate on their behalf. The Spirit will give disciples what is needed to remain faithful and to defend their faith to the end.
Jesus reminds his followers that when they face betrayal, torture, persecution and death they can look to the Divine Lordship of Christ—the Christ who stood before Pilate as the Divine Lord, aware of his pre-existence and in charge of his own destiny.
Jesus will always have the last word. Jesus will give us what we need to withstand the onslaught. Jesus’ Spirit will always stand with us and be our defender in time of need.
Jesus prays for us to his Father; Jesus loves us unto death and he expects us to love as he loved and be advocates as he was our advocate before the Father and extend God’s love to all recipients of God’s love and protection—the poor, marginalized, the oppressed, the persecuted, and all people who profess Christ as Lord and Savior of the Universe.
Questions: (what does the text say to you specifically, and what do you want to say to God about it?)
What is the Good News in today’s Gospel?
Imagine you are at the Lord’s Supper listening to Jesus’ teaching and Jesus’ prayer. What thoughts would be going through your head?
How do Jesus’ words speak to you at this time in your life?
In what way have you been set apart for a holy purpose? What is that purpose?
When you consider the way in which evil frequently wins in the world, how are we to regard Jesus’ word to us? Why can we trust his word to us?
In what way is this a necessary word in your life right now?
What does this Gospel teach you about the relationship of the Father and the Son? What does their relationship have to do with your life?
In what way, if any, have you experienced God as your advocate?
Have you ever advocated for another, especially the poor and oppressed in our midst.
In what way, if any have you experienced Christianity as a new society? What does that mean to you?
CONTEMPLATION: (be still, rest in God’s presence, and listen to what God is saying to you)
BE STILL - LISTEN - DWELL - ABIDE.
Key Passage: [Jesus prayed to his Father,] “I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours.” (John 17:9)
Liturgical Context:
Today’s liturgy continues his catechism on the love of God in Christ.
John invites us into the intimate communion Jesus shares with his Father.
The intimate communion between the Father and the Son flows out to the church. Their unity invites and creates the unity of the Church.
The interval between Ascension and Pentecost is a time of waiting and praying without end for the coming of the Spirit—a prayer we continue today.
The Spirit is the gift of Christ in absence; it is the loving continuation and manifestation of Jesus’ love present to us today.
We can do no less than offer our lives and join them to the cross of Christ and live our lives in its shadow.
The entire Easter season is a remembrance made present of Christ’s Paschal Mystery—the life, death, resurrection, ascension and sending of Christ’s Spirit to the world. An entire season is set aside for this reflection.
PERSONAL REFLECTION:
After reflection on today’s liturgy, what one thing is God asking of you at this time in your life?
What obstacles stand in the way of following God’s call?
Who needs you to pray for them this week, as Jesus prayed for his disciples?
Reflections and questions from "Breaking Open the Word" by Mary Birmingham
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