If you can have some share in the suffering of Christ, be Glad

Acts 1:12-14, 1 Pet. 4:13-16, Jn 17:1-1. On this Seventh Sunday of Easter Year A, the Church invites us to reflect on the time between the Ascension of the Lord Jesus and Pentecost, a time of anticipation, apprehension and addressing God in prayer. Today’s first reading describes how the eleven Apostles, Mary and other disciples spent this time. In today’s Gospel, Jesus commended His disciples to the Father in prayer: “I pray for them; I am not praying for the world but for those you have given me, because they belong to you.” He prayed for them that they may follow His example to make the Name of God known to the whole world and to teach others what they have learned from Him.

Jesus’ Priestly prayer involves complete self denial and dedication. It is a task that requires courage and endurance. It is a task that requires patience and redefinition of priorities and values. It is a task that sometimes exposes one to conflict with those of contrary and contradictory values. This, in today’s second reading, Peter wrote evidently : “if you can have some share in the sufferings of Christ, be glad, because you will enjoy a much greater gladness when His glory is revealed. It is a blessing for you when they insult you for bearing the name of Christ, because it means that you have the Spirit of glory, the Spirit of God resting on you.” The Spirit inspires us to look beyond the difficulties and challenges we face, confront and overcome them in faith and hope. The Spirit leads us through the processes of regeneration and transformation and brings us to that level of certainty to sing with the Psalmist “I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living.”

May the Lord fills-up our emptiness, clears our doubts and dispose us, as we prepare in prayers for His coming afresh upon us, so that we may become holy and godly in our thoughts and actions! Amen!! Happy Sunday!!!