SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR A

Acts 1:12-14

Psalm 27

1 Peter 4:13-16

John 17:1-11

COMMUNING WITH GOD THROUGH PRAYER

Like the disciples in the Upper Room, the whole Church is waiting in prayer for the renewal of the Pentecost experience. Thus, the pervading theme of today’s readings is prayer. In the first reading, we see the disciples together in a continuous prayer. They were praying and waiting for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit who would empower them to bear witness to Christ in spite of the persecutions that awaited them. The second reading invites all Christians to accept suffering and persecution as an opportunity to be more fully united with Christ’s sufferings, to bear witness to their faith and to glorify God.

The gospel is an excerpt of Jesus’ farewell prayer commonly known as Jesus’ high priestly prayer (John 17). Before facing the “hour” of his Passion and death, Jesus prayed to his Father not only for himself but also for his disciples. He prayed for their protection and unity; and he prayed for us too. He did so because even though we are in the world, we belong to God who invites us to eternal life; and the essence of that eternal life is to know God as the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom he sent into the world for our redemption.

By listening to or reading this prayer of Jesus, we discover two things. First, we discover what true prayer should be, because too often our prayers are just complaints and requests. But we must never forget that the most beautiful prayer is praise and thanksgiving, as Jesus often did. Thus, to ask, one must first give thanks.

Second, this prayer reveals the essence of Christian prayer: seeking intimacy and communion with the Triune God, because our whole life depends on it. It is in a constant dialogue with the Lord through prayer that we receive the grace to become day after day true witnesses of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are also empowered to face difficult moments and persecutions, for we cannot face the “hour” of agony and hostility without the grace of God.

Thus, like the disciples, let us ask the Lord to teach us how to pray and to renew in us the gift of his Spirit so as to be able to make him known to the world. Amen.

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR A

Acts 8:5-8, 14-17

Psalm 66

1 Peter 3:15-18

John 14:15-21

THE PROMISE OF THE PARACLETE

This Sunday precedes the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, which will be celebrated next Thursday, and will usher us into the immediate preparation for the celebration of Pentecost. As such, today’s readings make direct reference to the Holy Spirit and invite us to rediscover his presence in our lives.

In the gospel, Jesus promises to his disciples that he will not leave them orphans. He will pray to the Father so that he may send them another Advocate (Paraclete), the Spirit of Truth. As an Advocate, the Holy Spirit will remain with and in them. He will stand by them, comfort, defend and support them. Hence, they will never be alone in their witness to Christ, even in the midst of great sufferings, trials and various kinds of persecution. As the Spirit of Truth, he will teach them everything and remind them of everything that Jesus had told them. This promise cannot but be a source of great joy and hope.

Since the world neither sees nor knows this Advocate, Christians must always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks them for a reason for their hope. As Saint Peter affirms in the second reading, this must be done with gentleness, reverence and clear conscience. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the believer should give a bold testimony to Christ, even in situation of hostility.

In this perspective, Philip’s apostolate may be considered as a concrete example not only of a disciple’s bold witness of his faith and hope, but also of the action of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers. Driven out of Jerusalem by severe persecution against the Church, he arrives in the city of Samaria, where he proclaims Christ to the people. His proclamation brings great joy to the city. The people are baptized, and with the laying of hands of the Apostles Peter and John, they receive the Holy Spirit.

We too have received the Holy Spirit in our baptism and confirmation. He dwells in us. But the question is: are we aware of his actions and power in our lives? Do we allow ourselves to be taught by him? Do we ask him to teach us how to bear witness to our faith and hope?