A Few Words On "The Word"

May 4, 2008
7th Sunday in Easter, Year A
John 17:1-11a & Acts 1:12-14

The Missing Link

We live in a world that is obsessed with celebrities.  Everywhere we look we see products endorsed by the famous.  We watch TV shows that depict the lives of the stars.  We buy magazines and surf the web to find out what’s been going on with our favorite musician or movie star.  We spend most of our days just following the illustrious lives of others.

When you stop to think about it, it’s easy to ask yourself, “Why?”  Why are we so intrigued by someone we will never meet and truly don’t know?  The truth is we like to think we know a famous person.  We try to escape our own realities by placing ourselves into the shoes of those who lead well-known lives.  We identify with those famous individuals who we feel are just like us, people we think are cool or just plain good.  Unfortunately, the image we’re usually given isn’t accurate.

I’m not saying that it’s entirely wrong to spend a little time checking out what’s been going on with someone you admire.  Sure, we can become far too wrapped up in it, but we can also learn some things along the way.  However, the reality is that we will probably never even meet the people we idolize, much less get to know them very well.  Spending too much time dreaming about someone we’ll never even really know can truly be a shame.

Given this perspective, you might think that today’s readings focus on how close Jesus truly is to us, but they don’t.  Instead, today’s Gospel reading and the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles points us in a different direction – prayer!

In the first reading, the Apostles have just returned from witnessing Jesus’ Ascension into heaven.  Instead of just going home, they gather as a community and begin to pray together.  In the Gospel, we see Jesus praying to his Father, asking that we will be strengthened to continue Jesus’ ministry.

We may not think about it very often, but prayer is very important if we’re going to be true peacebuilders.  Through prayer we’re given grace and the Holy Spirit.  Our relationship with and love for Jesus grows stronger, spilling over into those we meet.  Prayer prepares us to live lives of action that treat others with proper respect and dignity.  It reinforces our desire for peace and justice.  

In addition, prayer serves as a vital tool for encouragement.  In our desire for justice we are often faced with situations that we feel arehopeless.  We may see the pictures of starving children in Zimbabwe or watch footage of the devastation in Darfur.  Our heart goes out to these victims of injustice and we want to help them but they seem so far away.  Just like the celebrities we observe and adore, most of us will never play a direct role in changing one hungry child’s life.  We may never meet these who are suffering so horribly.

Unlike our superficial relationship with celebrities, we can truly reach out and touch those in need, even if they’re on the other side of the world.  Prayer serves as the link that builds a chain between those who are suffering and our loving God.  As peacebuilders we have the task of ministering to all people, regardless of their race, beliefs, or situation in life.  With prayer, bringing peace to all people becomes truly possible.

Reflection Question

When have you prayed for a situation that you truly felt you could do nothing about?  How did you feel afterwards?

Join us in our Forum to discuss these questions!