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Scripture

Sunday Gospel and Question of the Week

May 12
Sevenh Sunday of Easter
Gospel: John 17:20-26

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying:
“Holy Father, I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.
And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one,
I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me.
Father, they are your gift to me.
I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me.
I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”

Question of the week
How does your parish promote the unity of all Christians? Your family?

Discussion
How does it feel to know that Jesus was praying for you? How can you show today that you have the spirit of unity? We know that today there are differing beliefs among the various religions of the world, and differing beliefs even among Christians. How can we make a contribution to unity? Think of ways the following might help: love, respect, dialogue, study, prayer.
You might like to research the history behind the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement (Graymoor Friars) began this custom of praying for the unity of Christians on the eight days between the feast of Saints Peter and Paul on January 25 and the feast of Saint Peter's Chair on February 2. You can begin by finding their Web site at www.atonementfriars.org. Click on "Ecumenism" and then "Week of Prayer" and "Week of Prayer History."

Gospel Reflection
Today we are listening in on Jesus' prayer to the Father at the Last Supper. His voice communicates deep emotion as he prays for his friends - then and now. What Jesus wants most is unity - unity among all believers, and unity between believers and God. "That they may be one, as we are one," he prays.
Jesus' prayer reminds us that if the love of God is truly alive in us, the proof of that love will be in our unity with others. Divisions among Christians are a sign that we still have much work to do.

Reflection and Questions are adapted and reprinted with permission from Harcourt Religion Publishers, www.Harcourtreligion.com , RCL-Benziger: www.rclweb.com and http://www.blestarewe.com/misc/terms.html and William F. Sadlier: www.webelieveweb.com Visit these web sites for additional information and formation resources for adults and children.

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Scripture references for the week: Seventh Week of Easter

May 14 ~ Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle

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