Thursday of Seventh Week after Easter, May 24,2007

Scripture: Acts 22:30;23:6-11. Psalm 16:2a,5-11. John 17:20-26: Lectionary
#300

Paul is a Pharisee of the tribe of Benjamin and is quite proud about his
Judaic roots. Today in the Acts we see him proclaiming the Resurrection
before the tribunal. A discord breaks out between Pharisees who like what
Paul is saying and Sadducees who do not believe in the afterlife. The
theme of personal resurrection is constant during these days before
Pentecost. There is a surprise in the Psalm that is used for the Mass,
Psalm 16. It may be one of the few psalms that hints at the personal
resurrection of our bodies. As such it fits the other readings very well.
I believe Psalm 16 is at the heart of Paul's prayers in the events we find
in the Acts today. It is a hymn of confidence and joy throughout. It lifts
up our spirits because we realize happiness is a good gift from God and we
can tap into through our praying this psalm. Mitchell Dahood, S.J. an
expert in the Ugaritic language, uses this language as a way of
understanding some of the difficult Hebrew expressions in Psalms to give
us new insights into the Psalms. For Psalm 16, Dahood senses that the one
offering this prayer is a convert from the religion of Canaan who seemed to
have a belief in the afterlife. This assures the believer that death can
be overcome as an obstacle through union with God in personal prayer.
Paul has such confidence as he faces his last journey from Jerusalem to
Rome in chains. The Lord stands by him through all the turbelence and
violence in this court mixed with Sadducees and Pharisees. He has split
them and the Romans save him from being attacked in what is happening in
the room of the tribunal. The Spirit continues to guide him and give him
courage as he faces his last months of life. In the Gospel reading Jesus
prays for his apostles and friends that God has entrusted to him. They are
learning about the commandment of unselfish love and about the Spirit that
Jesus will give them in times of trial. They like Paul will also be in
courtrooms and jails. They are to continue to bring the news of the
Resurrected Jesus to all whom they meet; they are to proclaim the rule of
God here on earth. Jesus continues to pray for them that they always are
united through his love. We too should pray for this unity among all
Christians for Jesus' prayer is that there be one flock and one shepherd.
No matter what our Christian dispensation or denomination is we hear Jesus
praying for us, "...that they may be one as we are one, I in them and you
in me, that they may be completely one, so that the world may know you have
sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Amen."