Seventh Sunday of Easter

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 17:11b-19.


Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying: "Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are. 
When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled. 
But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. 
I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. 
I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one.
They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. 
Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. 
As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. 
And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth."

Commentary of the day 
Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890), Cardinal, founder of the Oratory in England, theologian 
PPS, vol. 6, no. 15: “ Rising with Christ ”

"They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world"

Start, now, with this holy season of Easter, and rise with Christ. See, He offers you His hand; He is rising; rise with Him. Mount up from the grave of the old Adam; from grovelling cares, and jealousies, and fretfulness, and worldly aims; from the thraldom of habit, from the tumult of passion, from the fascinations of the flesh, from a cold, worldly, calculating spirit, from frivolity, from selfishness, from effeminacy, from self-conceit and highmindedness. Henceforth set about doing what it is so difficult to do, but what should not, must not be left undone; watch, and pray, and meditate... 

Show that your heart and your desires, show that your life is with your God. Set aside every day times for seeking Him... I am not calling on you to go out of the world, or to abandon your duties in the world, but to redeem the time; not to give hours to mere amusement or society, while you give minutes to Christ; not to pray to Him only when you are tired, and fit for nothing but sleep; not altogether to omit to praise Him, or to intercede for the world and the Church; but in good measure to realize honestly the words of the text, to "set your affection on things above;" and to prove that you are His, in that your heart “is risen with Him”, and “your life is hid in Him” (Col 3:1-3).

Community prayer

Our Father

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And let us not enter into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone. Col 4:6

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Reading & Meditation of the Daily Gospel

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