The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, May 28, 2006
Seventh Sunday of Easter

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 1:15-17, 20-26
Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20
1 John 4:11-16
John 17:11b-19

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Eyewitnesses are so important for persuading people of the truth or falsity of allegations, whether it's in a court of justice, or in the privacy of a home. When the news of Jesus’ resurrection was first spread abroad, people believed Peter and the other apostles because they had witnessed the risen Christ with their own eyes. Even Thomas became a believer when he had witnessed Christ’s wounds. So when the time came for the apostles to find a replacement for Judas Iscariot, they narrowed their choice to those who had actually seen Jesus alive after his resurrection.

We may well wonder why the number twelve was so important. Scholars are generally in agreement that Jesus Himself carefully chose twelve to fulfill the mission of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. In any case, the Holy Spirit chose Matthias. In the unanimous witness of those who preached the Gospel, credibility would be assured.

The Gospel continues from last week the farewell address of Jesus at the Last Supper. “Consecrate them in the truth," Jesus prays. All successors of the apostles are so consecrated. Truth is the one great divine force which will assure the unity of the infant church. “One faith, one Lord, one Baptism” binds all who would be faithful branches on the Vine which is Christ.

We have seen through the ages from the beginning how deviation from Christ’s teaching tears asunder the solidarity of one Church. Christian bodies generally separate from this unity on one or another point of doctrine. The physical unity of Christ’s church will only be restored when there is a return to consensus on all aspects of the “deposit of faith."

Our role is to be good witnesses to the truth by our patient endurance of trials, our unshakeable loyalty to our Holy Father, and constant prayer “that they all may be one."

- Msgr. Paul Whitmore
(smartins at frontiernet dot net)