Christ prays for you and me!

 



Acts 7.55-60; Ps 96; Apoc 22.12-14, 16-17, 20; Jn 17.20-26


Today, on the Seventh Sunday of Easter we stand at an edge or a strange point in the liturgical year.  The Lord has Ascended to heaven, as we celebrated on the Solemnity of the Ascension a time of vigil, a time of watching and waiting, a time of grace. 


The apostles have been allocated their mission, to proclaim the gospel and to extend the Church.  They have been promised many gifts to enable them to fulfil their mission.  Now they await the spiritual resources to fulfil their task.



The gospel reading today comes from a long prayer offered by Our Lord and given to us by Saint John.  It is often called the priestly prayer of Christ because in it Our Lord asks that we may receive the benefits which will flow from His death on the Cross.  


He prays and wishes that all peoples who believe in him that they may be one just as it’s with the Godhead. He prays for our unity with the Father and that the world will recognise that God wants us all to be saved. 



And to us, this power of intercession also comes from a heart that is close to God. A heart that is pure. A heart that is ready to forgive others. A heart that seeks the truth. A heart that searches for God. It is through the power of intercession that God answers our prayers for others. 



After the Death of Christ on the cross next was Stephen and then on, the floodgates of persecution were thrown open and yet this tragic end to one man's life has also become the seed that fell into the ground and bore "much fruit" (John 12:24). None of his accusers could match him. He was bold and full of wisdom. 



The "seed" of Stephen's body planted in the ground on that day that witnessed to Christ, would result in an unstoppable sowing of the Gospel seed that has impacted even you and me, some 2000 years later.




Today, as we await the annual celebration of Pentecost, it is a moment to look at our spiritual lives and to assess our growth.  In an age when so much effort is put into grooming and training the body, with gyms and health clubs all the rage, it is important to give due attention to a programme of training for the soul.  



 As we approach Pentecost, may we resolve to renew our spiritual lives and to give time and effort to this task through the liturgical year, so that in the fullest possible way God’s love may be in us to make us one, just as Christ Our Lord prayed.




Have a nice day and God bless!


Osho

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