Seventh Sunday of Easter Year C 29th May 2022
Lectionary Readings: Acts 16 v16-34; Psalm 97; Revelation 22 v12-21; John 17 v20-26.
Jesus said, “I will be one with them”.
In the reading from John’s gospel, Jesus is praying for us, his followers. Jesus said, “I told them what you are like and I will tell them even more*. Then the love you have for me will become part of them and I will be one with them.” (John 17 v26). * via the work of the Holy Spirit (see John 14 v26).
Jesus said, “I am not praying just for these followers, I am praying for everyone else who will have faith because of what my followers will say about me.” (John 17 v20)
The whole of chapter 17, is about Jesus praying for us and our mission to make God’s love known to others. John recalls Jesus asking for God’s blessing upon us and protection from the evil one as we live out our lives in this world. Jesus prays for us to be assured of the love of God the Father and of Jesus himself as we try our best to be faithful disciples.
In the passage from Acts, Paul and Silas find themselves falsely accused, beaten and imprisoned; yet they find the strength within themselves to sing God’s praises. ‘About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to God, while the other prisoners listened.’ (Acts 16 v25).
Paul, throughout his writings, acknowledges that God had revealed himself to him through the person of Jesus, the risen Christ. That encounter transformed his life for the better. Now his mission was to tell anyone who was prepared to listen of God’s love for them. Even in jail, Paul sings God’s praises and prays that his fellow prisoners might come to know God love for themselves.
Paul was aware that God’s Spirit was at work in and through him and the other followers of Jesus. Paul wanted everyone he met to have the same close relationship that he had with God.
John recalls Jesus praying for his followers, “I want all of them to be one with each other, just as I am one with you and you are one with me. I also want them to be one with us.” (John 17 v21).
“I am one with them and you are one with me, so that they may become completely one. Then this world’s people will know that you sent me. They will know that you love my followers as much as you love me.” (John 17 v23).
John and Paul both write of a bond that cannot be broken between God and those who know themselves to be loved by God and are prepared to show love to others.
As the Psalmist says, You are God’s people! So celebrate and praise the only God. (Psalm 97 v12).
Hymn writer Brian Foley says, (from Singing the Faith No 382 v1,4).
Holy Spirit, come, confirm us in the truth that Christ makes known;
we have faith and understanding through your helping gifts alone.
Holy Sprit, come, posses us, you the love of three in One,
Holy Spirit of the father, Holy Spirit of the Son.
Bible quotations are taken from the Contemporary English Bible.