Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk
Seventh Sunday of Easter, Year, A – World Communication Sunday - May 28,
2017
Readings:
Acts 1:12-14; Responsorial Psalm Ps 27:1,4,7-8;
1 Pet 4:13-16
& Gospel John
17:1-11.
Theme:
United in Prayer!
Friends in Christ, today is the Seventh
Sunday of Easter. Coincidentally, today is World Communications Sunday – A day
in which the Holy Father gives a theological appreciation to technological
advances in media with a view to reminding
the world that the media should be used in the service
of man. Directors of Social Communications, Catholic Media Practitioners and
Media Workers are expected to use this day to advance the course of human
communication as a major component of communication at the same time showcasing
the Church’s view of what good communication is. We shall come back to the Holy
Father’s message for this celebration later.
For the apostles of Christ, pre and post
ascension episodes constitute important moments of sober reflection and prayer.
While the common saying goes, “misery unites people” we must also understand
that “Joy equally unites people.” After the ascension, the first reading (Acts
1:12) recounts that the apostles, filled with joy, returned to
Jerusalem. It noted that “all these devoted themselves with one accord to
prayer,” together with some women.
By staying together, the apostles sustained
the unity of the spirit through prayer. Since they were one in heart and mind,
they stormed the heavens with prayer awaiting the Holy Spirit. The word of God
assures: “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am in their midst”(Matthew
18:20). This underscores the importance of the community of believers (Church)
and community prayer (Liturgy).
Our world today is rife with Christians who
argue that you must not belong to a Church to be truly Christian. They further
argue that private prayer is more important than community prayers. The
implication of these positions is that there is no need of Church as an
assembly of God’s people or the liturgy as a fixed rite of public worship.
