Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Lectionary: 300
Lectionary: 300
Wishing to determine the truth
about why Paul was being accused by the Jews,
the commander freed him
and ordered the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to convene.
Then he brought Paul down and made him stand before them.
Paul was aware that some were Sadducees and some Pharisees,
so he called out before the Sanhedrin,
"My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees;
I am on trial for hope in the resurrection of the dead."
When he said this,
a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees,
and the group became divided.
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection
or angels or spirits,
while the Pharisees acknowledge all three.
A great uproar occurred,
and some scribes belonging to the Pharisee party
stood up and sharply argued,
"We find nothing wrong with this man.
Suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?"
The dispute was so serious that the commander,
afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them,
ordered his troops to go down and rescue Paul from their midst
and take him into the compound.
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."
about why Paul was being accused by the Jews,
the commander freed him
and ordered the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to convene.
Then he brought Paul down and made him stand before them.
Paul was aware that some were Sadducees and some Pharisees,
so he called out before the Sanhedrin,
"My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees;
I am on trial for hope in the resurrection of the dead."
When he said this,
a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees,
and the group became divided.
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection
or angels or spirits,
while the Pharisees acknowledge all three.
A great uproar occurred,
and some scribes belonging to the Pharisee party
stood up and sharply argued,
"We find nothing wrong with this man.
Suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?"
The dispute was so serious that the commander,
afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them,
ordered his troops to go down and rescue Paul from their midst
and take him into the compound.
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
PsalmPS 16:1-2A AND 5, 7-8,
9-10, 11
R. (1) Keep me
safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, "My Lord are you."
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, "My Lord are you."
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.
AlleluiaJN 17:21
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
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.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
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.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelJN 17:20-26
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,
that the world may believe that you sent me.
And I have given them the glory you gave me,
so that they may be one, as we are one,
I in them and you in me,
that they may be brought to perfection as one,
that the world may know that you sent me,
and that you loved them even as you loved me.
Father, they are your gift to me.
I wish that where I am they also may be with me,
that they may see my glory that you gave me,
because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Righteous Father, the world also does not know you,
but I know you, and they know that you sent me.
I made known to them your name and I will make it known,
that the love with which you loved me
may be in them and I in them."
"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,
that the world may believe that you sent me.
And I have given them the glory you gave me,
so that they may be one, as we are one,
I in them and you in me,
that they may be brought to perfection as one,
that the world may know that you sent me,
and that you loved them even as you loved me.
Father, they are your gift to me.
I wish that where I am they also may be with me,
that they may see my glory that you gave me,
because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Righteous Father, the world also does not know you,
but I know you, and they know that you sent me.
I made known to them your name and I will make it known,
that the love with which you loved me
may be in them and I in them."
Meditation: "May they become
perfectly one"
When you pray what do you ask for - God's help,
blessing, guidance, and wisdom? One of the greatest privileges and
responsibilities we have been given by God is to pray not only for ourselves,
but for others as well. The Lord Jesus lived a life full of prayer, blessing,
and gratitude to his Father in heaven. He prayed for his disciples, especially
when they were in great need or danger. Mark tells us in his Gospel account
(see chapter 6:46-51) that when Jesus was praying alone on the mountain he saw
that his disciples were in great distress due to a life-threatening storm that
was beating against their boat. Jesus immediately came to their rescue -
walking on the waves of the rough waters before he calmed their fears and
calmed the raging waters as well! Luke records in his Gospel account the words
of Jesus to Simon Peter shortly before Jesus' arrest and Peter's denial of the
Lord three times. "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that
he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith
may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers"
(Luke 22:32). Jesus' prayers were personal, direct, and focused on the welfare
and well-being of others - especially that they might find peace and unity with
God and with one another.
Jesus prays for all Christians to be united as one
The longest recorded prayer of Jesus is found in the Gospel of John, the "high priestly" prayer which Jesus prayed aloud at his last supper meal with his disciples (John 17). This prayer most clearly reveals the heart and mind of Jesus - who and what he loved most - love for his Father in heaven and love for all who believe in him. His prayer focuses on the love and unity he desires for all who would believe in him and follow him, not only in the present, but in the future as well.
The longest recorded prayer of Jesus is found in the Gospel of John, the "high priestly" prayer which Jesus prayed aloud at his last supper meal with his disciples (John 17). This prayer most clearly reveals the heart and mind of Jesus - who and what he loved most - love for his Father in heaven and love for all who believe in him. His prayer focuses on the love and unity he desires for all who would believe in him and follow him, not only in the present, but in the future as well.
Jesus' prayer concludes with a petition for the unity
among all Christians who profess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Jesus prays for all
men and women who will come after him and follow him as his disciples (John
17:20). In a special way Jesus prays here for each one of us that as members of
his body the church we would be one as he and his Father are one. The unity of
Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, with the eternal Father is a unity of
mutual love, service, and honor, and a oneness of mind, heart, and spirit. The
Lord Jesus calls each and every one of his followers into this unity of mutual
love, respect, service, honor, and friendship with all who belong to Christ.
To make him known and loved by all
Jesus’ prayer on the eve of his sacrifice shows the great love and trust he had for his beloved disciples. He knew they would abandon him in his hour of trial, yet he entrusted to them the great task of spreading his name throughout the world and to the end of the ages. The Lord Jesus entrusts us today with the same mission - to make him known and loved by all. Jesus died and rose again that all might be one as he and the Father are one. Do you love all who belong to Christ and do you recognize and accept all baptized Christians as your brothers and sisters in Christ? The Lord Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, draws each one of us into the unity which he and the Father have together and into the unity he desires for all who belong to him - we are all brothers and sisters in Christ and sons and daughters of our beloved Father in heaven.
Jesus’ prayer on the eve of his sacrifice shows the great love and trust he had for his beloved disciples. He knew they would abandon him in his hour of trial, yet he entrusted to them the great task of spreading his name throughout the world and to the end of the ages. The Lord Jesus entrusts us today with the same mission - to make him known and loved by all. Jesus died and rose again that all might be one as he and the Father are one. Do you love all who belong to Christ and do you recognize and accept all baptized Christians as your brothers and sisters in Christ? The Lord Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, draws each one of us into the unity which he and the Father have together and into the unity he desires for all who belong to him - we are all brothers and sisters in Christ and sons and daughters of our beloved Father in heaven.
The Lord intercedes for us right now
The Lord Jesus Christ included each one of us in his high priestly prayer at the last supper meal with his disciples on the eve of his sacrifice on the cross (John 17:20). And today the Lord Jesus continues his high priestly office as our intercessor before the throne of God in heaven. Paul the Apostle tells us that it is "Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us" (Romans 8:34; see also Hebrews 7: 25). Do you join in Jesus' high priestly prayer that all who profess Jesus as Lord may grow in love and unity together as brothers and sisters who have been redeemed through the precious blood that was shed for us on the cross?
The Lord Jesus Christ included each one of us in his high priestly prayer at the last supper meal with his disciples on the eve of his sacrifice on the cross (John 17:20). And today the Lord Jesus continues his high priestly office as our intercessor before the throne of God in heaven. Paul the Apostle tells us that it is "Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us" (Romans 8:34; see also Hebrews 7: 25). Do you join in Jesus' high priestly prayer that all who profess Jesus as Lord may grow in love and unity together as brothers and sisters who have been redeemed through the precious blood that was shed for us on the cross?
"Heavenly Father, have mercy on all your people
who have been redeemed by the precious blood of your Son who offered up his
life for us on the cross. Pardon our sins and heal our divisions that we may
grow in love, unity, and holiness together as your sons and daughters. May all
Christian people throughout the world attain the unity for which Jesus prayed
on the eve of his sacrifice. Renew in us the power of the Holy Spirit that we
may be a sign of that unity and a means of its growth. Increase in us a fervent
love, respect, and care for all of our brothers and sisters who believe in
Jesus Christ."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Prayer of unity for all who believe, by Cyprian of Carthage - first
martyr bishop of Africa, 200-258 A.D.
"The Lord's loving-kindness, no less than his
mercy, is great in respect of our salvation in that, not content to redeem us
with his blood, he in addition prayed for us. See now what the desire of his
petition was, that just as the Father and Son are one, so also we should abide
in absolute unity. From this, it may be evident how greatly someone sins who
divides unity and peace, since even the Lord himself petitioned for this same
thing. He no doubt desired that his people should in this way be saved and live
in peace since he knew that discord cannot come into the kingdom of
God." (excerpt from THE LORD'S PRAYER 30.1)
THURSDAY, MAY 17, JOHN 17:20-26
Easter Weekday
(Acts 22:30, 23:6-11; Psalm 16)
Easter Weekday
(Acts 22:30, 23:6-11; Psalm 16)
KEY VERSE: "I gave them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one" (v.22).
TO KNOW: As Jesus prepared to return to his Father, he prayed for all those who would come to believe in him through his disciples' proclamation of the gospel. Jesus' followers would continue his work on earth by making God's name known. Jesus prayed for the unity of all believers. He longed for the time when Christians would cease their divisions and be united with him in the unity he shared with the Father. The love that existed between the Father and the Son flowed through the Spirit and would be expressed in the love that Christians have for one another. The Christian community should be a reflection of the oneness of the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When the world saw this, they would be attracted to the gospel and believe in Jesus Christ (Jn 13:35).
TO LOVE: Are people able to "read" the gospel that I proclaim by my life?
TO SERVE: Risen Lord, help me to work for unity in my parish.
Thursday 17 May
2018
Acts 22:30; 23:6-11. Psalm 15(16):1-2, 5, 7-11. John
17:20-26.
Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope—Psalm 15(16):1-2, 5, 7-11.
I have sent them into the world.
Lord, your words today are not easy for us to act on. It seems
that you are saying that each of us is sent into the world to build the
kingdom, just as you were sent into the world by your Father for the same
purpose. How do we do this?
It is said that we should bloom where we are planted. Which
means that we build the kingdom first in our hearts then in those among whom we
live. We can do this by prayer. The psalmist says: ‘You give power and strength
to your people’, and so peace and love of the kingdom will be spread near and
far.
Saint Paschal Baylon
Saint of the Day for May 17
(May 24, 1540 – May 15, 1592)
 |
| Saint Paschal Baylon | Giovanni Battista Tiepolo |
Saint Paschal Baylon’s story
In Paschal’s lifetime the Spanish empire in the New World was at
the height of its power, though France and England were soon to reduce its
influence. The 16th century has been called the Golden Age of the Church in
Spain, for it gave birth to Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Teresa of
Avila, John of the Cross, Peter of Alcantara, Francis Solano, and Salvator of
Horta.
Paschal’s Spanish parents were poor and pious. Between the ages
of seven and 24 he worked as a shepherd and began a life of mortification. He
was able to pray on the job and was especially attentive to the church bell,
which rang at the Elevation during Mass. Paschal had a very honest streak in
him. He once offered to pay owners of crops for any damage his animals caused!
In 1564, Paschal joined the Friars Minor and gave himself
wholeheartedly to a life of penance. Though he was urged to study for the
priesthood, he chose to be a brother. At various times he served as porter,
cook, gardener, and official beggar.
Paschal was careful to observe the vow of poverty. He would
never waste any food or anything given for the use of the friars. When he was
porter and took care of the poor coming to the door, he developed a reputation
for great generosity. The friars sometimes tried to moderate his liberality!
Paschal spent his spare moments praying before the Blessed
Sacrament. In time, many people sought his wise counsel. People flocked to
his tomb immediately after his burial; miracles were reported promptly. Paschal
was canonized in 1690 and was named patron of eucharistic congresses and
societies in 1897.
Reflection
Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament occupied much of Saint Francis’ energy. Most of his letters were to promote
devotion to the Eucharist. Paschal shared that concern. An hour in prayer
before our Lord in the Eucharist could teach all of us a great deal. Some holy
and busy Catholics today find that their work is enriched by those minutes
regularly spent in prayer and meditation.
Saint Paschal Baylon is the Patron Saint of:
Eucharistic Congresses and Societies
Shepherds
Shepherds
LECTIO DIVINA: JOHN 17:20-26
Lectio Divina:
Thursday, May 17, 2018
1) OPENING PRAYER
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
and Father of all people,
we believe in You
and we know that You loved Jesus
with a deep and trusting, lasting love.
Let Your Holy Spirit pour out this love
into the hearts of all those
who believe in Jesus, our Savior and shepherd.
Let this love unite us in one common bond
of understanding and respect for one another
and let that love lead us
to live for one another and to serve one another
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.
and Father of all people,
we believe in You
and we know that You loved Jesus
with a deep and trusting, lasting love.
Let Your Holy Spirit pour out this love
into the hearts of all those
who believe in Jesus, our Savior and shepherd.
Let this love unite us in one common bond
of understanding and respect for one another
and let that love lead us
to live for one another and to serve one another
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.
2) GOSPEL READING - JOHN
17:20-26
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, that the world may believe
that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may
be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to
perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved
them even as you loved me. Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where
I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me,
because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the
world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I
made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which
you loved me may be in them and I in them."
3) REFLECTION
• Today’s Gospel gives us the third and
last part of the Priestly Prayer, in which Jesus looks toward the future and
manifests His great desire for unity among us, His disciples, and that all may
remain in the love which unifies, because without love and without unity we do
not deserve credibility.
• John 17:20-23: So that the world may
believe it was You who sent Me. Jesus expands the horizon and prays to the
Father: “I pray not only for these but also for those who through their
teaching will come to believe in Me. May they all be one, just as, Father, You
are in Me and I am in You, so that they also may be in Us, so that the world
may believe it was You who sent Me.” Behold, here emerges Jesus’ great
concern for unity which should exist in the communities. Unity does not mean
uniformity, but rather to remain in love, in spite of tensions and conflicts. A
love which unifies to the point of creating, among all, a profound unity like
the unity which exists between Jesus and the Father. The unity in love revealed
in the Trinity is the model for the communities. For this, through love among
people, the communities reveal to the world the most profound message of Jesus.
People said of the first Christians, “See how they love one another!” The
present day division among the three religions which came from Abraham is
really tragic: the Jews, the Christians and the Muslims. And even more tragic
is the division among us Christians who say that we believe in Jesus. If we are
divided we do not deserve credibility. Ecumenism is at the center of the last
prayer of Jesus to the Father. It is His testament. To be a Christian and not
be ecumenical is a contradiction. It means to contradict the last Will of
Jesus.
• John 17:24-26: “So that the love with
which You loved Me may be in them.” Jesus does not want to remain alone. He
says, “Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am so that
they may always see My glory, which You have given Me, because You loved Me
before the foundation of the world.” Jesus is happy when we are all together
with Him. He wants His disciples to have the same experience of the Father
which He had. He wants us to know the Father and that He knows us. In the
Bible, the word to know is not limited to a rational theoretical knowledge, but
presupposes the experience of the presence of God living in love with the people
of the community.
• That they may be one as We are one.
(Unity and Trinity in the Gospel of John) The Gospel of John helps us to
understand the mystery of the Trinity, the communion among the three Divine
Persons: the Father, the Son and the Spirit. Of the four Gospels, John is the
one which puts more stress on the profound unity among the Father, the Son and
the Spirit. From the text of John (Jn 17:6-8) we see that the mission of the
Son is the supreme manifestation of the love of the Father. And this unity
between the Father and the Son makes Jesus exclaim, “The Father and I are one”
(Jn 10:30). Between the Son and the Father there is such an intense unity that
one who sees the face of one also sees the face of the other. And fulfilling
this mission of unity received from the Father, Jesus reveals the Spirit. The
spirit of Truth comes from the Father (Jn 15:26). At the bidding of the Son (Jn
14:16), the Father sends the Spirit to each one of us in such a way that He
will remain with us, encouraging us and giving us strength. The Spirit also
comes to us from the Son (Jn 16:7-8). Thus, the Spirit of Truth, who journeys
with us, is the communication of the profound unity which exists between the
Father and the Son (Jn 15:26-27). The Spirit cannot communicate a truth which
is different from the truth of the Son. Everything which is in relationship
with the mystery of the Son, the Spirit makes known to us (Jn 16:13-14). This
experience of unity in God was very strong in the communities of the Beloved
Disciple. The love which unites the Divine Persons - Father, Son and Holy
Spirit - allows us to experience God through union with the people in a
community of love. This was also the experience of the community, where love
should be the sign of God’s presence in the midst of the community (Jn
13:34-35). This love builds unity in the community (Jn 17:21). They looked at
the unity in God in order to understand the unity among themselves.
4) FOR PERSONAL CONSIDERATION
• Bishop Don Pedro Casaldáliga said,
“The Trinity is truly the best community.” In the community of which you are a
part, can you see any human sign of the Divine Trinity?
• Ecumenism: Am I interested in
ecumenism? How do I approach it with others?
• Do I know the doctrine and beliefs of
the Church well enough to enter into ecumenical discussion with others without
misleading myself or others?
• What limits do I put on ecumenical
activity in my life? Should there be limits?
5) CONCLUDING PRAYER
Lord, You will teach me the path of
life,
unbounded joy in Your presence,
at Your right hand delight for ever. (Ps 16:11)
unbounded joy in Your presence,
at Your right hand delight for ever. (Ps 16:11)
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