Note: This blog is offered as a service to those Ecclesiastical Provinces that celebrate the Ascension of the Lord on Thursday, May 29.
Today’s gospel from John concludes the late Easter season’s focus on the Last Discourse. We get a rare glimpse into the prayer of Jesus, and of his deep love for his disciples.
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying: “Holy Father, I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one as you, Father, are in me and I in you. . . Father, they are your gift to me. . . I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.
Jesus brings his disciples into God’s community, which can be seen in two dimensions. The vertical dimension grounds our unity in the relationship between Jesus and his Father. The horizontal dimension sees in Jesus’ command to love one another the sharing of that Father-Son relationship among members of the community.
The Sign of the Cross is a good model of these two dimensions of unity. The movement of the right hand from the forehead to the heart – the vertical – reminds us of the intimate love shared between the Father and the Son. The movement from left shoulder to right – the horizontal – reminds us that the Holy Spirit dwells in our Christian community.
Jesus loves us! He knows our call to discipleship may be fraught with challenges and hardship, as illustrated in the story of the martyrdom of Stephen in today’s First Reading from Acts. Jesus and his Father are in perfect unity, and our Christian community, infused with the Holy Spirit, helps us bring that divine unity to the world – through our trials and tribulations, and through our blessings and joys.
7th Sunday of Easter Entrance Antiphon O Lord, Hear My Voice, for I Have Called to You (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #108
Today’s Entrance Antiphon sings confidently of our relationship with God.
Entrance Chant Open the Eyes of My Heart (Paul Baloche)
Spirit & Song #335; Never Too Young #102
This song remains a youth ministry favorite and reflects the prayer of the Entrance Antiphon.
Blessing and Sprinkling of Water I Saw Water Flowing (Casey McKinley)
Breaking Bread #634
Casey’s song for the Rite of Sprinkling has become a popular choice for the Easter season.
Responsorial Psalm The Lord Is King, the Most High Over All the Earth (Tom Tomaszek)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 224
Tom Tomaszek’s verbatim setting of Psalm 97 is a proclamation of Christ’s reign over the world.
Gospel Acclamation Alleluia (based on “Ye Sons and Daughters”) (Josh Blakesley)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 226
The acclamation verse sings of our hope in Jesus’ presence with us as we carry out his mission.
Presentation and Preparation of the Gifts One Sacrifice of Christ (Robert Feduccia and Rick Modlin)
Spirit & Song #189; Breaking Bread #188
This Ascension hymn is appropriate for today as we await the celebration of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
7th Sunday of Easter Communion Antiphon Father, I Pray that They May Be One (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #109
The antiphon text is taken from the prayer of Jesus in today’s Gospel.
Communion Chant One Bread, One Cup (Bobby Fisher, Greg Lee, Craig Aven, Ken Canedo)
Spirit & Song #255; Never Too Young #73
“One Bread, One Cup” is a Communion song of unity and empowerment in the Holy Spirit.
Sending Forth Many and One (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Dwight Liles)
Spirit & Song #331; Breaking Bread #444
This song calls us to be one in Christ as we bring his peace and mercy to the world.
Liturgy Blog is a weekly liturgy planning resource for musicians, liturgists, homilists, youth groups, faith sharing groups, and all who look to the liturgical readings for inspiration and nourishment. Join Ken Canedo as he breaks open the Scripture and suggests tracks from the Spirit & Song contemporary repertoire.
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