Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Liturgical Cycle: A, B, C | Lectionary Cycle: I, II
Introduction
As Christians baptised in the name of Christ, we have received the Holy Spirit of fortitude. With his help, we should be able to give a place to pain and suffering in our lives. It is a part of all human life. But to Christians, it makes even more sense: it was Christ’s way, and the disciple can accept it in peace and use it to bring peace to others. Christ will help us bear it, for he has conquered the world.
Opening Prayer
Lord our God,
When your Son Jesus had to pass through trials,
he knew that you were with him
and he committed himself into your hands.
In this way, he brought peace to people.
As people baptised into his name,
let your Spirit help us to be brave
when suffering and difficulties come our way,
that, like your Son and with him,
we may overcome evil in ourselves
and in the world.
May our pains give birth
to love and peace and hope for others.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.
First Reading
Paul in Ephesus
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the inland areas and arrived at Ephesus.
There, he found some disciples and asked them: “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?”
They responded:
“We haven’t even heard of anyone receiving the Holy Spirit.”
Paul then asked:
“What type of baptism have you received?”
They responded:
“The baptism of John.”
Paul then explained:
“John’s baptism was for conversion, but he himself said they should believe in the one who was to come, and that one is Jesus.”
Upon hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Then Paul laid his hands on them, and the Holy Spirit came upon them; they began to speak in tongues and prophesy.
There were about twelve of them in total.
Paul entered the synagogue; for three months, he preached and debated there boldly, aiming to persuade them about the kingdom of God.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (33a) Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
God arises; his enemies are scattered,
and those who hate him flee before him.
As smoke is driven away, so are they driven;
as wax melts before the fire.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
But the just rejoice and exult before God;
they are glad and rejoice.
Sing to God, chant praise to his name;
whose name is the LORD.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The father of orphans and the defender of widows
is God in his holy dwelling.
God gives a home to the forsaken;
he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If then you were raised with Christ,
seek what is above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
The disciples said to him:
“Now you are speaking plainly and not in veiled language!
Now we see that you know all things and don’t need anyone to question you. Because of this, we believe that you came from God.”
Jesus answered them:
“Do you believe now?
The hour is coming—in fact, it has come—when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not truly alone, because the Father is with me.
I have told you this, so that in me you may have peace. You will have trouble in the world, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”
Prayers of the Faithful
– That the Holy Spirit may breathe on us the fervor to live consistently our baptismal faith, we pray:
– That the Holy Spirit may give us the strength to carry with Jesus the crosses that come to us in life, we pray:
– That the Holy Spirit may warm up in us our cold hearts that at times don’t know how to forgive and love, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
in this sacrifice we celebrate
how we have to pass through suffering
because it was the way of Jesus.
Make us aware
that this is also the way of the disciple,
as the test of our faith,
the probation of our hope
and the measure of our love.
Give us the Spirit of strength to bear difficulties
with peace and consolation in our hearts
on account of the joy you have promised
and the fruits they may bear for others,
as an offering to you through Christ our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
you promise us what no eye has seen
and no ear has heard.
Give us the strength of the Spirit
to bear suffering in hope
and as a way to grow in the life of Christ.
May it bring others the courage
to hope in your promise
of a new heaven and a new earth
and to live in your friendship.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.
Blessing
When Jesus died on the cross and rose again, the world was changed, death and sin were defeated. But we have still to make this true today. Justice and love must still triumph in us today. Let the Spirit commit us to do this today, and may almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
REFLECTIONS
Jn 16:29-33
Do not be afraid because the Lord is in control
With the celebration of the Ascension of the Lord, we enter the seventh week of Easter. The liturgy of the Word will prepare us for Pentecost. It is a time to open our hearts and allow the Spirit of Jesus to act within us. We cannot simply stand gazing at the sky with our arms crossed. It is urgent that we rekindle the fire of the Spirit within us, inspiring us to make the presence of Jesus alive and to continue the mission of spreading the joy of the Gospel everywhere and alleviating the suffering in our world. The Holy Spirit enables, encourages, and strengthens us for this mission.
In today’s Gospel, we see the conclusion of Jesus’ “Farewell Address”. The final verse of his speech captures the essence of the disciples’ mission that lies ahead: “I have told you about this, so that you may find peace in me. In the world you will have struggles; but have courage: I have conquered the world”. The Risen Lord always brings us peace through his close communion with the Father.
In saying goodbye to his disciples, Jesus invites them to trust. Despite the trials and difficulties, you should not be discouraged. Christ has conquered the world! We should also be encouraged by this conviction today. We continue to face trials, opposition and even persecution. Tragedies and calamities around the world, wars, violence, suppression and corruption create a sense of hopelessness. In these testing times, the words of Jesus bring us comfort and consolation. They strengthen us to keep walking. This is the function of the Holy Spirit, which continues to act beyond our imaginations.
An incomplete understanding of the truth of our faith is a serious concern today. Faith formation is limited and often directed solely to the sacramental reception. Education and the formation of the faithful are essential to the transmission of the faith. They must be a high priority for every Christian because the Church’s mission is to know and love the Lord and share the love of God with every creature.
Using the farewell discourse, John seeks to reassure his community members who bear the daily burden of opposition and rejection. Jesus’ proclamation, “Have courage, I have overcome the world,” was an assurance, especially for the disciples of the time of the evangelist; and indeed, it is an assurance for all of us who place our trust in him.