God’s Eternal Love | ||
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May 21, 2015. Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter
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Thursday of the Seventh Week of EasterBy Father Paul Campbell, LC John 17:20-26 Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: "I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them." Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe in you and all that you have revealed for our salvation. I hope in you because of your overflowing mercy. Every single act of yours on this earth demonstrated your love for us. Your ascent into heaven before the eyes of the Apostles inspires my hope of one day joining you there. I love you and wish you to be the center of my life. Petition: Lord, increase my faith in your love.
Conversation with Christ: Jesus, help me to share your love with those around me. Don’t allow me to remain focused just on myself and the circumstances in my life. I need you. I need your love, as do so many others. I need to love in order to give myself to your work, but I also need your constant help and support. Resolution: I will let someone know that God loves them. |
May 21, 2015
In the first reading, St. Paul, knowing that his audience was composed of two factions, Pharisees and Sadducees, starts to talk about a point of contention between them. This led to a bitter dispute between the two groups, and they forget about Paul whom they opposed because of his preaching of Jesus.
When there is no unity in a group, there is chaos, and that is what happened in the first reading. There are many obstacles to overcome in order to achieve unity.
We must work to achieve the unity that Christ prayed for at the Last Supper. In the Church the Eucharist is the sacrament which unifies all its members with Christ and with one another.
The sacrament of matrimony is also meant to portray the unity of the members of the Church with Christ, its head. Couples are called to be one in love for each other.
The Triune God is One in the Godhead, “three Persons equal in majesty, undivided in splendor, yet one Lord, one God.”
May all the believers and followers of Christ achieve the unity Christ prayed for at the Last Supper, as we pray on the feast of the Chair of St. Peter, Apostle, “Grant, we pray, almighty God, that no tempests may disturb us, for you have set us fast on the rock of the Apostle Peter’s confession of faith.”