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God speaks to us in many ways, including through the Sunday Scripture readings. The Sunday Connection provides useful background and activities to better understand the upcoming Sunday's Scripture readings, helping you to connect the Scripture to daily life in a meaningful way.
Seventh Sunday of Easter, Cycle C
God Speaks to Us Through the Sunday Readings

Note: If the Ascension of the Lord is celebrated today, see May 17 for the readings and commentary.

First Reading
Acts of the Apostles 7:55-60
Stephen is martyred as Saul looks on.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 97:1-2,6-7,9
The Lord is king over all the earth.

Second Reading
Revelation 22:12-14,16-17,20
Come, Lord Jesus.

Gospel Reading
John 17:20-26
Jesus prays for his disciples.

Background on the Gospel Reading

On the seventh Sunday of Easter, we always read from the 17th chapter of John's Gospel. This chapter of John's Gospel comes at the conclusion of Jesus' Farewell Discourse delivered to the disciples at the Last Supper. The whole of this chapter is a prayer of Jesus, commending himself to the Father and expressing his care and concern for his disciples. At the end of this prayer, Jesus and his disciples depart for the garden, and Jesus is arrested.

Several important themes appear in this prayer of Jesus. First, Jesus' prayer reaffirms the complete union between Jesus and the Father. Throughout John's Gospel, Jesus has been presented as the one who pre-existed with the Father and as the one sent by the Father to do his work on earth. In today's reading, we hear Jesus ask that the unity he experiences with the Father be extended to all who believe in him. He prays that we be one with each other, with him, and with the Father. We are reminded that Christ is the source of Christian unity. Through Christ, we are united with one another and with God our Father.

Belief is a major theme in the Gospel of John. It begins in the prologue and continues in the response to Jesus' signs. Belief is the reason Jesus performs signs (2:11, 4:53, 6:69, 9:38) and the reason signs have been recorded in the Gospel (20:30-31). Here Jesus prays not only for those who believe in him but for all who will come to believe in him. And he prays that the love of the Father in him may also be in all who believe so that Jesus might be in them as well.




Max Char 500
I thank you for the reflections on the readings for the Mass of the weekend. It really does help when attending Mass to connect with the readings and the homily and these are certainly helpful insights. It is easier to understand than I can follow to be a better person in life. Thanks again!
I just wanted to say THANKS for Sunday Connections. We love having it to use with our two teenage daughters. It helps them to focus on the readings at Sunday mass and all of us have had our Aha! moments when we really understand what God wants of us.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is so kind and merciful; yesterday, today, and forever. Through His Catholic people, the Body of Christ , our Lord continues His call, healing, deliverance, and love. Every day the Holy Spirit guides, teaches, and protects us. It is a wonderful thing to be open to Him and Acknowledge His place in our lives and the lives He allows to cross our Path.
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