Seventh Sunday of Easter

June 1, 2025

GOSPEL MEDITATION

The famous 20th century St. Padre Pio said once that he would wait outside the gates of heaven until the people in his life had entered. I’m not sure that I, or frankly many people I know, would say that and mean it. Yet that is precisely the kind of attitude we see in Jesus as he prays for us in the Gospel today. Having celebrated the Ascension of the Lord just a few days ago, we now hear the Son of God at the Last Supper pray to his Father “that they may be brought to perfection as one” (John 17:23). What does this mean for us?

I’d wager that we are not surprised that Jesus wants to make us perfect — that is, happy, whole, and healed. The shocker is that he desires this for us collectively and not just individually. Perfection is a team sport. We need each other to be perfect. Jesus is like a mother longing for her adult children to learn how to be in loving support of one another. He wants the perfection of his disciples to be not some individualistic plan of moral uprightness, but a loving communion of brothers and sisters.

Let’s apply this practically. Do I see my participation at Mass as something I do merely for my own peace and edification, or as something I do with and for the people around me? Do I see my ongoing need for forgiveness as something that simply makes me feel better, or as a task that heals those around me, too? Is my dearest hope to individually get to heaven when I die, or is it to be part of the great procession of souls, together marching towards the heavenly Jerusalem? Do I want to be in heaven with people I currently find difficult? How would my life change if I did?

 

–Father John Muir

 

EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP

This week was the Feast of the Ascension, when we celebrate Christ’s triumphant return to the Father after perfectly accomplishing His mission on earth. But we can also view this Feast as a celebration of the “launch day” of our commissioning as  Christ’s disciples.

Embracing a stewardship way of life, with it’s emphasis on the use of time, talent, and treasure, helps us to live in such a way that our very lives speak as a witness of the Good News of the Gospel. While we take time to reflect and renew our  commitments in these three areas annually as a parish family, it is of great benefit to take some time individually throughout the year to take stock of the commitments we have made – looking at both our strengths and our need for continued growth in each area.

During this week, and the Feast of the Ascension, let’s take the time to celebrate our victories as Christ’s disciples and to renew our commitment to remain faithful to Him and the unique mission He has entrusted to us! 

2025 Catholic Stewardship Consultants

 

PRACTICING CATHOLIC – RECOGNIZE GOD IN YOUR ORDINARY MOMENTS

Mini Reflection: In today’s Gospel, Jesus prays for me. And for you. And for all the people who woke up this morning and headed to Mass because, while it’s true that God is everywhere, the Body and Blood of Jesus is only found in one place.

That the World May Believe: I love today’s Gospel because, in it, Jesus prays for me.

And you.

And the guy sitting next to you at Mass. And the priest, and the altar server, and all the people in all the churches in all the towns in all the world who woke up this morning and headed to Mass because, while it’s true that God is everywhere, the Body and Blood of Jesus is only found in one place. And he prays for the barista who will sell you your coffee later today and see your crucifix and hear you say, “God bless,” and think, “That’s a weird necklace, and I don’t believe in God,” but who will one day, at her lowest point, wonder if anyone ever truly loved her, and remember the sight of that broken and bloodied Corpus.

Today, Jesus prays for the person you passed on the way into the parking lot this morning, the one who doesn’t go to Mass anymore but who always walks his dog on this street, on this morning, for reasons he can’t explain.

He prays for your great-great grandparents and your great-great grandchildren.

“Those who will believe in me through their word.” That’s me. That’s you. That’s us. We’re the ones who believe through the word of the Apostles, who bore witness to the life and death and Resurrection of the God-Man, Jesus Christ, and whose testimony to that life is an eternal flame illuminating the understanding of every human being who will ever say, “I believe.”

But if we listen to what Jesus says today, we must understand: it’s not just the Apostles’ job, and it’s not done. It’s not a book that is closed. It’s a mission that is alive and ongoing, and it’s as much ours as it was theirs: that the world may believe that you sent me.

– Colleen Jurkiewicz Dorman