Our first reading today from the Acts of the Apostles 1:12-14 and the Gospel from John 17:1-11a, focus on prayer. Just before He ascended into Heaven, Jesus told the Apostles to stay in Jerusalem and wait for "the promise of the Father” to be fulfilled; their baptism with the Holy Spirit. Immediately after the Ascension, the eleven apostles returned to Jerusalem and joined Mary the Mother of Jesus and other women followers in the upper room; the same room where they gathered for the Last Supper. And the same room where they gathered after the crucifixion. Only this time they are not cowering in fear and confusion. They gathered together filled with faith and hope. As we heard in our Gospel on Ascension Thursday, Matthew 28:16-20, Jesus just gave them a huge challenge, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” It is time for them to get to work. But first they sought discernment by devoting “themselves with one accord to prayer.” This is the first gathering of the new Christian Community of faith.
In today’s Gospel, we hear the conclusion of Jesus’ Last Supper discourse, also known as the ‘high priestly prayer.” We are back in the upper room with Jesus and his apostles as Jesus prays to the Father for his followers who “are in the world, while I am coming to you.” The followers Jesus prays for are not just those in the room with him, Jesus is praying for all his disciples throughout history. Jesus is praying for the twelve apostles and for his Blessed Mother. He is praying for all the future martyrs and saints and Jesus is praying for us, his disciples in Peachtree City, Georgia, and he is praying for the generations who will follow us as believers.
The prayer of Jesus at the Last Supper, the prayers of the disciples gathered in the upper room after the Ascension and our prayers as a community of Christian believers are that God’s will might be done fruitfully through our lives. And we should pray that that each one of us will reveal God’s love and care to the whole human family. As we approach the great Feast of Pentecost next week, we should carry these prayers in our hearts.
Breathe in me O Holy Spirit
that my thoughts may all be holy;
Act in me O Holy Spirit
that my works, too, may be holy;
Draw my heart O Holy Spirit
that I love but what is holy;
Strengthen me O Holy Spirit
to defend that is holy;
Guard me then O Holy Spirit
that I always may be holy.
St. Augustine of Hippo (AD 354-430)
