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“St. Paul at Ephesus” by, Gustave Doré,1865
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Readings for Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter [1]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2]
Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Acts 20:17-27
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2]
Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Acts 20:17-27
Commentary on Acts 20:17-27
This passage begins Paul’s farewell speech at Miletus. The steady and lively growth of Christianity has started to spark significant resistance from multiple sources. Paul now feels compelled to return to Jerusalem, but wants to make sure he has left a final message with the leaders in the region of Ephesus. Here he begins his discourse, reminding them of his fidelity to the message he received from Jesus.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 68:10-11, 20-21
R. (33a) Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Commentary on Ps 68:10-11, 20-21
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 68:10-11, 20-21
R. (33a) Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Commentary on Ps 68:10-11, 20-21
Psalm 68, a hymn of thanksgiving, praises God for salvation and all that he has provided to the people. The Father lifts them up even in the face of death. The psalmist recalls all that God has done for his faithful people, and enjoins them to sing his praise, giving the Lord what is due to him from a grateful people.
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Gospel: John 17:1-11a
Commentary on Jn 17:1-11a
Raising his eyes to heaven, Jesus begins what is known as the “High Priestly Prayer.” In this first section, the Lord begins a petition for the disciples (those he has at that time and those to come), speaking directly to the Father (not to the disciples, they are just overhearing this prayer). The emphasis is clearly that the disciples have become what the Lord wanted, faithful believers, and he asks the Father to support them. He intercedes for those who were given to him by the Father (“I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world.” the Apostles and their followers). The Lord singles out the faithful for the Father’s special care, asking that they be glorified with him as he departs the world.
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Gospel: John 17:1-11a
Commentary on Jn 17:1-11a
Raising his eyes to heaven, Jesus begins what is known as the “High Priestly Prayer.” In this first section, the Lord begins a petition for the disciples (those he has at that time and those to come), speaking directly to the Father (not to the disciples, they are just overhearing this prayer). The emphasis is clearly that the disciples have become what the Lord wanted, faithful believers, and he asks the Father to support them. He intercedes for those who were given to him by the Father (“I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world.” the Apostles and their followers). The Lord singles out the faithful for the Father’s special care, asking that they be glorified with him as he departs the world.
CCC: Jn 17 2604, 2746, 2758; Jn 17:1 730, 1085, 2750; Jn 17:2 2750; Jn 17:3 217, 684, 1721, 1996, 2751, Sans; Jn 17:4 1069, 2750; Jn 17:5 2750; Jn 17:6-10 2751; Jn 17:6 589, 2750, 2750, 2812; Jn 17:7 2765; Jn 17:8 2812; Jn 17:9 2750; Jn 17:10 2750; Jn 17:11 2747, 2749, 2750, 2750, 2815, 2849
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Reflection:
As we listen today to the words of St. John we hear the Lord in prayer, completing his discourse to the disciples just before they go out to Gethsemane. It sounds as if Jesus is summing up what he has been saying to the assembly, reassuring us and them that, while it seems to be the end, it is not, and all that the Father has given him will be saved.
This feels like we have come full circle, from the joy of Easter and the promise of salvation we received with the feast of the Ascension, back to our trepidation before the Lord’s Passion. It has a melancholy feeling, hearing the Lord speak this way, almost out of phase from where we want to be. We have to look deeper to feel the power and majesty in these words.
If we have been drawn into the story as it has unfolded over the past seven weeks, we feel the endings. We hear Paul, now returning to Jerusalem, telling the leaders of the Church he started in Ephesus that he will not be seeing them again. We see Jesus with his disciples, having given them, among other things; the Vine and the Branches, the Shepherd and the Sheep, the greatest Commandment, now praying to the Father:
Father, the hour has come.
Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you,
just as you gave him authority over all people,
so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him.
And from Paul:
But now I know that none of you
to whom I preached the kingdom during my travels
will ever see my face again.
And so I solemnly declare to you this day
that I am not responsible for the blood of any of you,
for I did not shrink from proclaiming to you the entire plan of God
Our Easter celebration is nearly over for another year and it is time for new beginnings. In a few short days, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit at the great feast of Pentecost. It is a signal that we need to reach into that holy place within us and draw anew on that power he left us, given in baptism, strengthened and sealed in confirmation, nourished with the Eucharist, demonstrated in matrimony and holy orders, and revitalized in reconciliation and anointing. We are, after all, a sacramental people and it is the coming Spirit that makes us whole and one with him.
Pax
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Reflection:
As we listen today to the words of St. John we hear the Lord in prayer, completing his discourse to the disciples just before they go out to Gethsemane. It sounds as if Jesus is summing up what he has been saying to the assembly, reassuring us and them that, while it seems to be the end, it is not, and all that the Father has given him will be saved.
This feels like we have come full circle, from the joy of Easter and the promise of salvation we received with the feast of the Ascension, back to our trepidation before the Lord’s Passion. It has a melancholy feeling, hearing the Lord speak this way, almost out of phase from where we want to be. We have to look deeper to feel the power and majesty in these words.
If we have been drawn into the story as it has unfolded over the past seven weeks, we feel the endings. We hear Paul, now returning to Jerusalem, telling the leaders of the Church he started in Ephesus that he will not be seeing them again. We see Jesus with his disciples, having given them, among other things; the Vine and the Branches, the Shepherd and the Sheep, the greatest Commandment, now praying to the Father:
Father, the hour has come.
Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you,
just as you gave him authority over all people,
so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him.
And from Paul:
But now I know that none of you
to whom I preached the kingdom during my travels
will ever see my face again.
And so I solemnly declare to you this day
that I am not responsible for the blood of any of you,
for I did not shrink from proclaiming to you the entire plan of God
Our Easter celebration is nearly over for another year and it is time for new beginnings. In a few short days, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit at the great feast of Pentecost. It is a signal that we need to reach into that holy place within us and draw anew on that power he left us, given in baptism, strengthened and sealed in confirmation, nourished with the Eucharist, demonstrated in matrimony and holy orders, and revitalized in reconciliation and anointing. We are, after all, a sacramental people and it is the coming Spirit that makes us whole and one with him.
Pax
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