7th Sunday of Easter
Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.
Jesus had promised his disciples that he would be with them always. And yet he leaves them again, but promises they will receive the power of the Spirit, enabling them to be his witnesses even to the ends of the earth. That Spirit will enable them to understand and experience who Christ is now. With the Spirit, they are transformed and rush to share the good news!
We have the advantage of centuries of followers of Christ who have come to understand Christ’s presence in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, in the teachings of the Church, in the lives of the saints, in one another, and in our own lived experience. And yet, at times, we fail to see, doubt, or are unsure of what we are called to do and be.
Saint Paul’s prayer today encourages us to trust that the eyes of our hearts will be enlightened, and we will know the hope and the riches of glory that will be ours. Like the early disciples, we gather together in each Eucharist to experience his presence and to encourage one another to celebrate who we are and what we have been given.
We also hear the command, Go, and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded. And so, we are sent out to follow the example of Jesus in accepting all, in freeing those imprisoned by prejudice, in offering healing and forgiveness, and in showing God’s love through what we say and do.
Why are you standing there looking at the sky? The same is asked of us today. Do we look up at the sky to avoid seeing who is waiting for our witness and care?
How am I called to share the message of love today?
Let Us Pray:
Lord, we ask you to open our eyes and expand our hearts to know and live the mission you have given us. Amen.
