The Word today, Easter7B
- Admin
- May 7, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 27, 2024
May 13 - May 18, 2024
Acts 19:1-8 Pentecost has a long reverberation through the Acts and there are several “mini” Pentecost. Paul triggers one when he baptizes some followers of John the Baptist.
John 16:29-33 Towards the end of the Farewell Discourse, the disciples are shown coming to insight at last about the identity of Jesus. It has been a long journey — longer than you might imagine, because we are “overhearing” the fruits of many decades of prayer, reflection and teaching. Our own journey of faith cannot be different.
St Matthias, apostle
Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 The writer of the Acts has great esteem for the Twelve and, as part of the continuity between the two Testaments, the “college” of the apostles is restored after the betrayal and death of Judas. The prayer of discernment shows great confidence in God’s presence and inspiration.
John 15:9-17 Following Jesus’ own example, our Gospel places at the heart of the Christian project the command to love. We may put “command” in inverted commas: really we are dealing with loving and being loved. In the gentle expression of this Gospel: I call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father.
St Carthage, bishop
Acts 20:28-38 Paul’s last speech to the elders in Ephesus is full of still valid and good advice and the very last moment is very moving.
John 17:11-19 “Glorify” may sound strange to us, as if Jesus were looking for some kind of vain recognition. In this Gospel, however, to glorify point to the cross; specifically, it means that the heart of God, God’s inner identity, is disclosed in Jesus’ death and resurrection.
St Brendan, abbot
Acts 22:30, 23:6-11 “Divide and conquer” is an old rule and Paul uses it cannily in today’s vignette. Paradoxically, Paul is “rescued” by the very officials who hold him prisoner.
John 17:20-26 This heartfelt prayer will touch us all. Although conflict is normal, at every level, it cannot be normative. Therefore, we strive for forgiveness, reconciliation and true fallowing or oneness. May this great prayer be ours today!
Acts 25:13-21 A key event in the life of Paul is recounted. He was under arrest in Caesarea. As a Roman citizen, he makes appeal to the emperor.
John 21:15-19 Because our reading of John is coming to a close as the Easter Season ends, the lectionary takes us forward to chapter 21. In the background, there is an oblique reminder of his betrayal (charcoal1). But in the foreground stands the high call to love and the fundamental call to follow.
St John I, bishop of Rome, martyr
Acts 28:16-20, 30-31 The closing of the Acts is a marvellous scene. Paul is in Rome and still preaching. It is notable that the very last sentence of the Acts reads as follows (in Greek): proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ with complete freedom and unhindered. A great ending — and a great beginning, because it is up to us the readers to continue the task.
John 21:20-25 Our Gospel is also a closing scene. It was important for the community, dealing with the death of their beloved leader. At the same time, it provide the writer with a second chance to close the whole book, with mixed feelings of exasperation and wonder!
References
-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024ap, May 12). Seventh Sunday of Easter - Ascension. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051224.cfm
-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings/
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