7th Sunday of Easter

Jesus shows us how to pray
My dear brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ
The second reading, from the First Letter of Saint Peter, reminds us that sharing in the Holy Spirit is really sharing in the sufferings of Christ. Whenever we follow Christ faithfully, we will suffer in one way or another. This seems to be a rule of life that never changes. The only condition is that we suffer for Christ and in Christ and that we won’t get caught up in ourselves.
In prophet Malachi 3:3 says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Wednesday Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time.
The man answered yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'
He smiled at her and answered, '! Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'
My dear brothers and sisters, if today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
Jesus prays for us. This is the message of the Gospel today. Jesus is always present, praying for us and being the one who guides and directs us. Jesus prays to his Father, his Father who is in Heaven! For that is what it means to pray: to lift up one's soul and one’s entire mind to God, who is in Heaven. With his prayer, he shows us how one must pray, and what must be said to our heavenly Father. Certainly, this prayer is indeed that of Christ, and many of the words in it befit Him and Him alone. But what is important to understand is the spirit of this prayer: a spirit of gratitude and thanksgiving, a spirit of complete trust in our Father!
The poem Broken Dreams written by Robert J. Burdette gives an example of how we often lack trust in God. This is that poem…
As children bring their broken toysWith tears for us to mend,I brought my broken dreams to GodBecause He was my friend.But then instead of leaving HimIn peace to work alone,I hung around and tried to helpWith ways that were my own.
At last I snatched them back and cried,“How could you be so slow”“My child,” He said, “What could I do?You never did let go.”
Our Lord revealed to St. Faustina that “Sins of distrust wound Me most painfully”
There are two principle reasons why we often lack trust in God — pride and fear. As our loving Father, God wants us to bring our needs to Him, including our broken dreams. That is an initial act of trust, because we would not bring our needs to someone if we did not think that they could help us. “But then instead of leaving Him In peace to work alone, I hung around and tried to help with ways that were my own.” How often do we do just that? This is our own pride acting up, thinking that we know better than God. It is distrust in God’s plan; we become impatient and want things done our way and according to our timeline.
The other reason we often distrust God is fear. I think that is why Jesus says over and over again throughout the Gospels, “Do not be afraid. I am with you always” Often when we see God’s will for us we also see the difficulties, struggles and even persecutions that will be involved and we are afraid. We don’t think we can do what God is asking of us. We might not understand why He is asking it of us. Yes dear friends, Can we really trust that God will not abandon us in our difficulties and need?
This is so meaningfully said.. : -
Look Back & 'Thank' God.Look Forward & 'Trust' God.Look Around & 'Serve' God.Look Within & 'Find' God!'
During this coming week before Pentecost I ask you to please pray like Mary, the women, the apostles and disciples for a renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church and on all of us that we may respond to God better.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.