May 16: Seventh Sunday of Easter

“Certain women” were among 120 persons praying together after Jesus’ Ascension. Mary of Magdala, to whom he appeared first after he rose from the dead, was most likely with them. Jesus had sent her with the best news of all times to tell his followers he was ascending. (see John 20:1-19) Jesus still sends us to be bearers of good news and Jesus helps us discern community leaders today. We’re having pastoral council discernment AND Pope Francis has recently announced that religion teachers, “catechists” will be commissioned and recognized and trained as lay ministers. What has been happening throughout the world is now being officially recognized. Bishop Clark commissioned us as catechists in the 1970s. In many third world countries, lay catechists are the community leaders.

See Acts 1:15-17, 20a, 20c-26 and imagine the first followers of Jesus reeling under Judas’ betrayal. Peter referred to the Psalm, “may another take his office.” The community of believers prayed to our gracious God who knows the hearts of all; they discerned Matthias as an apostle. Jesus bemoaning the loss of Judas prays that his followers will cling to his word.

I am comforted as I sit with Jesus’ prayer to the Father for his disciples in John 17:6-19 because we are among his disciples. Jesus’ concern for us is palpable. He wants us to be one as he is one with his Father and he wants us to be protected from evil. Since we want and need to be protected from evil we listen keenly to those who sound like and act as protectors. After a gun massacre in New Zealand their prime minister, Jacinda Ardern influenced effective gun legislation which has in fact been protective. Greta Thunberg is another protector; her warnings protect us from the evils of climate catastrophe which is already upon some parts of our planet. Parents protect their children. Who else protects us from evil? How is God calling us to respond to those for whom Jesus prayed to be “sanctified in the truth?” Who bears witness to the life that comes through Christ? May we all remain in communion with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We thank God for the Holy Spirit assuring us we are not alone to tend to our sorely troubled world.

Deni Mack, DMin, Pastoral Associate Emerita