Saturday, May 07, 2016

Seventh Sunday of Easter


Catechism Links[1]
CCC 521: through Christ we live in communion with Father
CCC 787-790, 795, 1044-1047: the Church is communion with and in Christ
“Polyptych of the Apocalypse” 
(central panel) 
by Jacobello Alberegno, 1360-90



Commentary:

Reading 1: Acts 7:55-60
 
Commentary on Acts 7:55-60

St. Stephen is martyred for proclaiming Jesus Christ risen. He is the first Christian martyr, stoned outside of Jerusalem with the consent of one of the representatives of the Sanhedrin (“The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul.”) who we know later became St. Paul.

We note how St. Luke draws a parallel between the martyrdom of Stephen and the death of Jesus.  Both asked the Father to forgive their persecutors in their last moments (see Luke 23:34) and both called out to God to receive their spirits (see Luke 23:46).

CCC: Acts 7:56 659; Acts 7:60 2635
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 97:1-2, 6-7, 9

R. (1a and 9a) The Lord is king, the most high over all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
 
Commentary on Ps 97:1-2, 6-7, 9

This song of thanksgiving rejoices in God’s rule of the earth from his heavenly throne. The images presented extol God’s supreme authority over earth and heaven. The Heavenly Father is exalted above all of man’s deified creations.

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Commentary on Rev 22:12-14, 16-17, 20

This passage (with the exception of v. 21 which says: “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all”) concludes the canon of the New Testament.  It is called the “Witness of Jesus,” as St. John hears the Lord’s final exhortation.  It becomes a warning to those who hear the Word of God.  “Behold I am coming soon” provides a sense of urgency to embrace the Lord of Life.  Addressed to the seven churches (see Revelation 2:1ff), this witness reaffirms the messianic role of the offspring of David, and is an invitation to eternal salvation, possible only through the God who existed before all else and will exist when all creation finally comes to an end. (“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”)

St. John concludes his Revelation with a prayer that the Lord come may soon arrive, seeking God’s final gift of salvation.  It is noteworthy that the authors of the Missal have omitted v. 15 (“Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the unchaste, the murderers, the idol-worshipers, and all who love and practice deceit.”) which establishes criteria for final salvation.  According to Church teaching, all are given a final opportunity to repent and be saved.

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Gospel: John 17:20-26
 
Commentary on Jn 17:20-26

Here is the final part of the “High Priestly Prayer” from the Lord’s final discourse. In this selection we are linked with the disciples as Jesus says: “…but also for those who will believe in me through their word.” Again the theme of unity between the Father, and the Son, and his followers is emphasized and brought to a conclusion with “…that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”

CCC: Jn 17 2604, 2746, 2758; Jn 17:21-23 260, 877; Jn 17:21 820; Jn 17:22 690; Jn 17:23-26 2750; Jn 17:24 2749, 2750, 2750; Jn 17:25 2751; Jn 17:26 589, 729, 2750
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Reflection:

As we enter the final week of our Easter celebration, scripture presents us with endings.  In the reading from Acts, St. Stephen is martyred, ending the peaceful (if controversial) expansion of the faith among the Jews in Jerusalem.  From this point forward, violence against those who are following “The Way” is encouraged by the Jewish leadership.   And through that violence, the Word spreads throughout the world.

In the reading from Revelation, St. John concludes his vision with Christ’s own witness.  We hear the words that marked the Easter Candle when the new fire was lit: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”  The very last chapter of the very last book of the Bible issues the invitation to wash ourselves clean, and join Christ at his heavenly banquet, joining all the angels and saints in their eternal hymn of praise. Holy, Holy, Holy…

Finally Christ’s farewell to his disciples makes it clear that, even though he leaves us, he remains with us and in us.  As we have heard, God is love (1 John 4:8).  His love for us caused him to adopt us, and leave for us an everlasting memorial to that love in the sacrifice of the Mass.  In the holy time of Mass, we offer our love for him, and in turn, Jesus returns that love for us in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar: “…that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”

Of all the lessons we have learned, and of all the words we have repeated during this holy season, we must be constantly reminded of only one.  It is the one thing he commanded us and the most difficult commandment we are given: “Love God and love one another.”  It is the measure by which we measure ourselves in the world, and the measure by which we will be measured before the judgment seat of Christ.  As we complete our final week of Alleluias, let us pray that we can do so loving the Lord, and praying St. John’s own prayer: “The one who gives this testimony says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen!  Come, Lord Jesus!”

Pax
 

[1] Catechism links are taken from the Homiletic Directory, Published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 29 June 2014
[3] The picture is “Polyptych of the Apocalypse” (central panel) by Jacobello Alberegno, 1360-90
 
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