Thursday, May 25, 2023

Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter

(Acts 20:28-38; John 17:11b-19)

In today’s first reading Paul is spared stoning by the disunity of the Sanhedrin.  Astutely observing that both Pharisees and Sadducees are present, Paul identifies himself as a Pharisee.  The Pharisees then side with him when he claims that he is accused for expressing their belief in the resurrection of the dead.  The deadlocked Sanhedrin cannot make a verdict.

Despite Paul’s good fortune, disunity hampers a society from achieving the common good.  Certainly, unity is meant to serve the truth, but disunity is always problematic.  This is why in the gospel Jesus prays that his disciples be unified in the truth that he has taught them.  When the truth in a developing situation is difficult to determine, Jesus would have his disciples discern it together in love.

The world today is sick with divisions.  In the United States, Democrats and Republicans seem to be at odds on most every issue.  Throughout the world migrants are clamoring at the doors of economically developed countries.  People often lack the goodwill to make sacrifices for the benefit of all.  We should ask the Lord to prepare us to make the necessary sacrifices for the good of all.