7 SUN. of EASTERTIDE -MARKING TIME

This 7th Week of Eastertide falls between the Ascension and Pentecost. It provides an interlude, a time of waiting, which is far from empty. This is a time for prayer. The 1st Reading tells us that the disciples prayed that the Holy Spirit would guide them in choosing a replacement for Judas Iscariot. This disciple, Matthias, would make up the twelve leaders in the new Israel. Their special mission would be to witness to Christ’s resurrection. During this interlude Mary, the Mother of the Church, prayed with the apostles for the gift of the Holy Spirit, Who would enable them to preach the Good News to the whole world.
The Gospel reading also reflects a time of waiting, as Jesus prepared for His Passion. As in the first reading this interlude is prayerful. First, Jesus prays for Himself, that He would be glorified in His death. That it may be a triumphant victory over evil, not a tragic defeat.
Jesus then prays for us, His followers, in our mission to continue His work. He realise that the world is a dangerous place for His disciples. People would resent Christ’s way of life and would persecute those who preach it. The pagan values which surround us can so easily undermine our commitment to Christ. We can become worldly. Jesus tells us He’s not going to take us out of a hostile world. He has work for us to do there. But we do need the support of His prayers if we are not to become worldly.
Not that the world is evil. It certainly isn’t. After all, God has created it, and has seen that it is good. And earlier in John’s Gospel we’re told that God loved the world so much that He sent his only Son, not to condemn the world, but to save it. From what? Quite simply, from shutting God out. Jesus lived among us and died for us, to bring God back into our world, to make it a holy place, where God would be welcome. Our task is to share the Good News of God’s love for us -to be His witnesses, consecrated in the Truth. Christ realised we couldn’t do this by ourselves. So, He prayed that the Father would send the Spirit of Truth. This He did at Pentecost.
Today’s readings remind us that we can’t do God’s work without His help. That’s why the disciples prayed for guidance in choosing someone to replace Judas. That’s why they prayed before Pentecost, for the gift of the Spirit. That’s why Jesus prayed for us, who are to continue His work. And we need interludes of prayer, asking God to help us in doing His work. Time spent in prayer is certainly not wasted, especially today when life is so hectic and we expect instant results.
Isidore O.P.