Sunday, May 17: The Prayer of Unity
Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year A)
First Reading: Acts 1:12-14
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 27:1, 4, 7-8
Gospel: John 17:1-11a
The Theme: Entrusted to the Father
In our mission to Seek Peace, we find that the ultimate peace comes from belonging—knowing that we are not orphans, but are held in the heart of God. As we wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, we witness Jesus' final prayer for us. He is moving from the "Forge" of this world back to the glory of the Father, and He is entrusting us—His community—into the Father’s care.
Connecting the Word
The Upper Room (Acts & John): After the Ascension, the Apostles returned to the Upper Room and "devoted themselves with one accord to prayer." In the Gospel, we hear the prayer they were joining: Jesus praying for their protection and unity. The "Radiating Truth" is that our strength as a community doesn't come from our own efforts, but from the unity we find when we are "of one accord" in Christ.
Glory in the Suffering (1 Peter & John): St. Peter tells us to "rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ." This sounds like a contradiction, but Jesus explains it in the Gospel: the Cross was His "hour" of glory. When we are weary from our own struggles, we are actually participating in the "Radiating Truth" of Christ’s mission.
Pondering the Gospel
Following the example of the Blessed Mother (Luke 2:19), who we find in the First Reading praying alongside the Apostles, we ponder the transition of Jesus. He is no longer "in the world," but we are.
Do I feel like I am "in the world" alone, or do I feel the protection of Christ’s prayer over me?
How can I "keep" the Word as the disciples did, even when the physical presence of the Lord feels distant?
Reflection Questions
Seeking Peace: Jesus says that eternal life is "to know you, the only true God." In my current season of life, am I prioritizing "knowing" God through prayer, or am I just "knowing about" Him through information? How can I create a quiet "Upper Room" in my heart this week?
Building Community: Our vision is to build a supportive community. In the Gospel, Jesus prays that we "may be one." Is there any division or resentment in my life that is blocking that unity? How can I reach out to "untie" someone in my community and bring them back into the "one accord" of the fold?
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