Easter

The sound of Alleluias fills the 50 days of Easter Sunday to Pentecost as we give thanks for the gift of our salvation. The Easter Triduum recalls the passion and resurrection of Christ in the sacred journey from Holy Thursday to Easter Vigil. "Dying he destroyed our death. Rising he restored our life."

Sunday Readings and Backgrounds

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Seventh Sunday of Easter

Reading I : Acts 1:12-14

They were all gathered in the upper room, waiting.

Today’s first reading refers to a time when the early Christians were “in-between” their experience of Jesus’ presence with them and their experience of the promised Holy Spirit.
The Apostles, Mary, and other believers return to Jerusalem after the death of Jesus.
They are strengthened as a community through support of one another and prayer.

Reading II : 1 Peter 4:13-16

If you suffer for something, let it be for Christ.

In the second reading, Christians living in the time “between” Pentecost and the second coming of Jesus at the end of time are reminded that their conduct should promote unity and harmony rather than destroy it.
At the time this letter was written, the Christian community was finding it hard to endure persecution.
Peter warns them that following Christ might result in hardships, but that any suffering in God’s name will lead to future glory.

Gospel : John 17:1-11a

Jesus prays to his Father.

Today’s Gospel is part of Jesus’ Last Supper discourse. Jesus’ address is not to the disciples but to the Father.
In today’s passage, Jesus prays for himself, for the disciples and for all future believers, as he approaches his death.
For the disciples, still in this world, Jesus prays that they will be united in a unity on earth as close as the unity between him and the Father.