May 24, 2020
7th Sunday of Easter
On Thursday we commemorated the Ascension of the Lord when Jesus says goodbye to his disciples, commissions them, and returns to God, the Father. During this period of social distancing we may “feel” how it must have been for the disciples as they see Jesus lifted-up and a cloud taking him from their sight. “Clouds” in the Bible both reveal and conceal the presence of God. Saint Luke, author of the Gospel and Acts of the Apostles, tells us that, with urging of “two men in white”, angelic messengers, the Apostles return to the upper room in Jerusalem, and “devote themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” Our readings today remind us of the power of prayer to help us cope and connect.
Psalm 27 is a beautiful sung prayer that conveys the longing in our hearts: “I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.” St. Peter reminds the recipients of his letter: “Rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly.” In our Gospel according to Saint John, Jesus is praying to his Father with no embarrassment that his disciples are listening in on this intimate conversation. We are listening in too. Jesus speaks of the “coming hour” when God’s glory will be revealed in him. “Glory” is not fame or prestige bestowed for outstanding achievement. “Glory” denotes the manifestation of the invisible God powerfully at work on earth. In the second part of Jesus’ prayer to/with the Father during the Last Supper, we hear Jesus express his love and concern for his disciples. “The boundaries and separations that define most relationships are entirely lacking within the divine family. Disciples of every age have a home in the open, intimate love of Jesus and his Father” (Elizabeth Nagel, Workbook for Lectors, Gospel Readers and Proclaimers of the Word, page 182)
Thanks to the Holy Name Society, we now have a new digital sound and speaker system of church bells. The bells and chimes will be calling us to prayer and to public worship when we can gather safely. The bells and chimes will be tolling on Monday, Memorial Day, at 8:55 AM, 12 Noon and 6 PM as we honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice of their lives in service of our country. We are participating in a National “Ring for Remembrance.” We cannot forget that the freedoms we enjoy, and perhaps take for granted, are not free.
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6th Sunday of Easter
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Pentecost
