7th Week of Easter (B) : Thursday 20th May 2021

Paul had been arrested. When the commander learned that Paul was a Roman citizen, he decided to bring him to the Sanhedrin, the Jewish court, to understand the charges against him better. Paul knew that he could cause division between the Sadducees and Pharisees by mentioning that he was a Pharisee who believed in the resurrection. That caused much disagreement that the commander removed Paul to keep him from being harmed. God told Paul that he would also have the opportunity to witness in Rome as he had done in Jerusalem.

Jesus prayed to the Father for all who would believe in him throughout the generations. His prayer was for unity — a unity that is the result of love, the love that Jesus shares with the Father. Jesus was asking that we would be one with the Father and with Jesus and with each other. This is the love that draws people to God. When people see this type of love in action, they are drawn to that love source — and the source is the Trinity.

Do we in the Church demonstrate God’s love in the way we interact with each other and those outside the Church?

Lord, help me to love You and others with the love that You and the Father share.