LITURGY IN FOCUS

CALL TO WORSHIP: SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

After Jesus’ ascension, Mary and the Apostles gathered to pray and find strength together. Alone and afraid, they waited in the upper room. This year we also are more alone than usual, waiting, closed off in our homes and praying for God’s blessing upon our lives, in our world, and within the Church.
  • To the point: The gospel is about mutual giving between Jesus and the Father, and our being called into the same life of self-giving. We are to give ourselves to God and one another in live and service. In this is God’s glory and ours.
  • Connecting the Gospel (John 17:1-11a) to the second reading: This Sunday we are reminded that glory comes to us only through our sharing “in the sufferings of Christ.”
  • Connecting the Gospel to experience: Tired of always reported bad news, a national news center asked viewers to share stories of good news. Reports of deeds of extraordinary gospel self-giving is more abundant and evident than we sometimes think. God’s glory abounds.

“This Alone”

(Tim Manion and the St. Louis Jesuits)

Centering prayers

The gospel
(John 17:1-11a )
“And behold, I am with you all days till the end of the age.”
Jesus, you show yourself to us
through your Spirit.
Please breathe that Spirit again.
This whole planet needs it now.
Instruct our scientists how to find cures
for  the virus and other climate problems.
Inspire us to learn new ways
of feeding our globe’s family.
Help us learn how to love you
by taking care of all creatures
and all creation.
We want to love you, Lord.
That is everything.
Show us how.
First reading
(Acts 1:12-14)
“John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Lord, you tell them to go, together,
straight to the upper room,
praying and waiting 
for your Spirit.
Open our minds, our eyes
and our hearts,
so that we can pray and wait
as they did.
Second reading
(1 Peter 4:13-16)
“May the Father of glory, give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him.”
O suffering, we ward you off.
Yet you steal into our lives.
OK, come in.
Live with us.
But only if it means
that Christ is within us
and that we can know him better.
Lord, let the eyes of our hearts
be enlightened and filled with
your kindhearted love and cure
for all that ails.

Copyright © 2020, Anne M. Osdieck