7th Sunday of Eastertide
Acts 1:12-14
Jn 17:1-11
All these joined in continuous prayer…
Have you ever wondered, like me, about today’s first reading from Acts? Why was Luke so intentional about naming the apostles one by one? At first glance, it might seem like an unnecessary detail and even, an overkill. He could have, for expediency, simply said ‘the eleven apostles went to the upper room, and joined in continuous prayer with several women.’ Or, if there needed to be some specificity, then just say “Peter, and the other 10 apostles went back from the Mount of Olives”.
Perhaps Luke named them to emphasise that Jesus had already identified who he wanted to begin his earthly mission after his ascension. He was commissioning them individually, despite their chequered past and feeble allegiance. Each had his own story of betrayal and infidelity, running away when the Lord needed them most. Yet, each had been forgiven by our Risen Lord who called. By naming them, their identities were restored. Naming lends a sense of intimacy and personal friendship; we are reminded that when we pray in our own ‘upper room’, that the Lord knows us by name, and looks at us with mercy and compassion, not holding our past against us.
When one considers how the apostles had competed over seats of honour, argued about their greatness and denied knowing Jesus to avoid trouble, it is clear they were not united in vision and simply, very human in their natural responses when put under pressure. This speaks of the profile of communities in our midst. It is a reminder also that unity of Spirit comes about through prayer, and not in the elimination of differences or personal weaknesses.
Contemplating the scene in the upper room, one is led to the Church’s call to synodality – to understand that unity in the Church is not so much the elimination of differences, but choosing to stay in the same upper room despite our differences, waiting to be led forward by the Holy Spirit. It is a sobering invitation to consider how we might have, without thinking much about our reactions, side-stepped people we do not like — whose past lives scandalise us, who are simply different, slower, or ‘made differently’. The upper room held the motley mix of betrayers, runaways, the tax collector, as well as the ‘beloved’; each stayed on and waited, praying as one with our blessed Mother as they awaited on the Lord.
This being the month of Mary, I was also led to reflect more on the silent role of Mary in this scene. She says nothing and simply prayed with the apostles. This posture of deep prayer traces itself back to her first encounter with the angel Gabriel, who announced God’s plans for her to become the mother of God’s son. Confused and, possibly fearful, she learned to simply hold and surrender to the mysterious ways of God. One can imagine her encouraging the apostles gathered around her – “Let it be done, according to thy Word.”
Mary also teaches us how to stand proud and tall in the face of trials and tribulation. At the foot of the Cross, all had run away, save John. He stood unflinchingly with her and learned, first-hand, that maternal love cannot prevent suffering, but bears the fruit of inner strength in the victim by her strong and quiet presence, clinging to the belief that everything passes. It is nearly impossible to understand why life can turn out the way it does – but the invitation is simply to surrender and to trust that God’s greater plan will be for the better good of all. May we learn to wait on the Lord in prayerful trust, especially when discerning where the Lord’s will is directing us on our life’s journey.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Corinne Cheok)
Prayer: Grant us the grace to wait on the Lord with patient trust, knowing that Your greater plan unfolds for the good of all. Amen.Thanksgiving: Thank you Lord, for calling each of us by name, into particular missions you have chosen for us. We are grateful also for the gift and example of our mother Mary, who shows us how to prayerfully stay the course in life, that we might be faithful to your call.
OXYGEN 
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