28 May
Sun
7th Sunday of Easter (A)
Acts 1:12-14
Ps. 27(26):1,4,7-8
1 Pt. 4:13-16
Jn. 17:1-11
(Ps Wk III)
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During Mass, there is the solemn Prayer called the Preface before the Consecration. In this prayer we address God as "Father, all-powerful and living God." Some scholars have made a thoughtful suggestion that chapter 17 of Saint John's Gospel is Jesus' Preface before his sacrifice upon the cross. At several points during this Gospel, Jesus speaks about his "hour". Now he addresses his Father with the words "Father, the hour has come." He thus surrenders his whole life into God's hands and affirms that his coming sacrifice upon the cross, his passion and death are the great hour of grace when he will accomplish the purpose of his life on earth, the meaning of the incarnation, for this "hour" is the time of our salvation.

Of course, indirectly John has been subtly teaching us that everything which Jesus said and did was a part of the work of our redemption. Now he perfects all that he has said and done in the great act of self-sacrificing love. Yet this is not something he does merely by himself, and so he must preface his death with this solemn prayer to the Father, for this is "the work that you gave me to do."



Father in Heaven, may my death be the accomplishment and perfecting of the work which You gave me to do.


DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That Christians in Africa, in imitation of the Merciful Jesus, may give prophetic witness to reconciliation, justice, and peace.
Elaboration

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