Reflection for the Seventh Sunday of Easter – May 24, 2009

Today’s readings place us in those critical days between the Feast of the Ascension and the great Feast of Pentecost, sometimes called a “novena” of prayer for the Holy Spirit. For the disciples, it is a time of waiting and of expectation, a time of grieving the absence of their Lord and anticipating the fulfillment of his promise to send the Spirit.

The way Matthias is chosen to fill out the original “Twelve” may recall childhood games in which sides were grouped or captains of pick-up games were selected. In fact the choice by lot was the way temple duties were assigned, with names written on stones, then shaken together allowing one stone to fall out, thus making the choice. We can trust that the Spirit was already at work in this first major decision by the new Church. Later at the Council of Jerusalem, their resolution of a difficult theological problem is introduced with the phrase: “It is the decision of the Holy Spirit, and ours, too…” (Acts 15:28).

These tentative beginnings of the infant Church can serve to inspire all of us that we like those early Christians may falter and struggle, but the Lord can also rescue us with those inspirations of the Spirit that come to us each day: knowing what to do in a difficult situation, lending a helping hand even when we are tired ourselves, feeling helpless to offer comfort yet the right words just seem to flow from us.

The short passage from 1 John provides a link between the first reading and the Gospel, assuring us that we abide in God because He has given us of the Spirit, and that mutual love of God for us, and us for God produces that perfect unity for which Jesus prays.

The Gospels often describe times when Jesus went off to pray alone. But today’s Gospel is different, because it doesn’t just show Jesus at prayer, but includes a rare instance when we actually hear Jesus’ prayer. It is an intensely personal prayer, in which we can feel his anguish, love and concern.

All the confidence and protection Jesus promises in his prayer rests on our surrendering to Jesus’ discipleship – we must speak words of truth to a world that may or may not receive that truth. John’s “world” is everything that is opposed to Jesus, yet clearly God loves the world because the Son was sent to redeem the world.

May we be attentive the voice of the Holy Spirit, guiding us in all we do, and may the prayer of Jesus inspire us to be faithful witnesses in the world he came to save.

Reflection by Sr. Pauline Cinquini, SC
(Staff - St. Elizabeth Seton House of Prayer
Co-liaison for Catholic Charismatic Renewal
Director of RCIA – IHM Parish, Scarsdale)