Tuesday of the
Seventh Week of Easter
(Acts 20:17-27; John 17:1-11a)
The old priest died the other day. After being last seen resting, he was found on
the floor without life signs. Some say
that he had the best death possible – without suffering or myriad hospital
procedures. But this point is debatable.
Both readings today show another way to die.
Paul feels compelled by the Spirit to return to
Jerusalem. He senses that his end is
near. On the journey he stops at the
port of Miletus and sends for the church workers in Ephesus to meet him. Then he begins his farewell address. In today’s reading he reviews his ministry on
behalf of Christ. In tomorrow’s he will give
the ministers advice regarding how to care for the people. In both readings his care for them is
evident.
In the gospel Jesus has been proclaiming his love and
instructing for his disciples throughout the long final discourse. Today he begins the conclusion of his remarks
with a prayer to God the Father. He calls the disciples “the ones…given me” as
a way of indicating his affection. He
also directly prays for them.
No one can enjoy suffering. But we should not always run from it. Through suffering we can draw closer to Jesus
on the cross. It even allows us to share
in his work of redemption. Suffering in
the dying process may also afford us opportunity to confirm our love for those
who mean the most to us. Like both Paul
and Jesus we want to take full advantage of it.
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