7th Sunday of Easter Year A
Sunday May 17, 2026
In most dioceses in the United States, the observance of the Solemnity of the Ascension is moved to the following Sunday, superseding the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A. See readings and resources for the Ascension of the Lord Year A instead.
Praying and Waiting Together
The 7th Sunday of Easter Year A comes between the Ascension of Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. It is a time when the Church remembers what it means to wait on God’s promise. The readings show the disciples gathered in prayer, holding on to hope for what is to come.
In Acts, we see the apostles, Mary, and other followers staying together in Jerusalem. They are united, patient, and ready for the mission ahead. In the second reading, we are reminded that following Jesus can bring trials, but it also brings joy and hope. The Gospel shares the prayer of Jesus for His friends, asking the Father to keep them safe and united.
The 7th Sunday of Easter Year A invites us to reflect on our own faith while we wait for God to act. It is a call to trust, to pray, and to stay close to others who share the same hope.
Mass Readings for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A
- First Reading – Acts 1:12-14: After Jesus’ ascension, the apostles returned to Jerusalem and gathered in an upper room with Mary and other women. They devoted themselves to prayer while waiting for the promised Holy Spirit to come.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 27: This psalm expresses the author’s unwavering faith in God’s goodness and protection, and their deep desire to dwell in His presence and contemplate His beauty. The psalmist calls upon the Lord to hear their prayer and have mercy upon them.
- Second Reading – 1 Peter 4:13-16: Christians should find joy in their sufferings, as it aligns them with Christ’s own suffering and ultimately leads to sharing in His glory. Additionally, believers are encouraged to live unashamedly for Christ, even if it results in persecution.
- Gospel – John 17:1-11: Jesus prays to the Father, asking for His own glorification so that He may glorify the Father, and also asking for the protection of His disciples as they continue His work in the world. Jesus speaks of the unity between Himself and the Father, and prays for His disciples to be united in the same way.
I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine, and I have been glorified in them.
John 17:9-10
Themes for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A
The 7th Sunday of Easter Year A comes between the Ascension and Pentecost. The readings show the disciples waiting in prayer, facing trials, and trusting in Jesus’ words.
- Waiting in Prayer: The disciples return to Jerusalem and pray together. They trust that God will guide them.
- Unity in Faith: The disciples stay together in prayer. They support one another as they wait for the Holy Spirit.
- Sharing in Christ’s Suffering: Peter reminds believers that suffering for Christ is a blessing. It shows that they belong to Him.
- Glorifying God in Trials: Peter says to rejoice when facing hardships. Suffering for Christ brings honor, not shame.
- Jesus’ Prayer for His Followers: Jesus prays for His disciples before He leaves. He asks God to protect them and keep them united.
- Eternal Life through Christ: Jesus speaks of knowing God as the way to eternal life. Faith in Him leads to true life.
The 7th Sunday of Easter Year A reminds believers to trust in God while they wait. It shows the importance of prayer, unity, and staying faithful in hard times.
Resources for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A
Sunday May 17, 2026
Catholic Prayers
Prayer is an important part of faith, helping us grow closer to God. The 7th Sunday of Easter Year A shows the disciples gathered in prayer as they wait for the Holy Spirit. This reminds us that prayer is not just asking for things but also listening to God. Different prayer techniques, like Lectio Divina or the Examen, help us reflect on our lives and trust in God’s plan.
The Gospel for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A shows Jesus praying for His followers, asking God to keep them united. This teaches us that prayer is also about community and caring for others. Whether we pray alone, with family, or in a group, prayer strengthens our faith and connects us to God’s will. Using different types of prayer can help us stay focused on Him and follow Jesus’ example.
The Acts of the Apostles: Waiting in Unity
Acts begins with the risen Christ commissioning His followers to spread the Gospel. This passage shows the apostles, Mary, and other disciples gathered in prayer after the Ascension. It reflects the book’s focus on community and the guidance of the Holy Spirit in carrying out God’s mission.
The unity of this group reveals the early Church’s reliance on prayer and fellowship. In Acts, such gatherings often precede major movements of the Spirit. On the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A, this reading reminds us that mission starts with faithful waiting and shared trust.
Psalm 27: Confidence in the Lord
Psalm 27 blends trust in God’s protection with longing to dwell in His presence. The psalmist’s desire to seek God’s face shows a life rooted in worship and dependence on Him. It reflects the Psalms’ role in expressing both personal faith and the communal hope of God’s people.
This prayer captures the heart of trust during uncertainty. On the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A, it mirrors the disciples’ waiting spirit in Acts, holding to God’s goodness while anticipating His action.
The First Letter of Peter: Sharing in Christ’s Suffering
First Peter offers hope to believers facing trials. Here, suffering is seen as a way of joining in Christ’s own experience, which will lead to joy when His glory is revealed. The letter often urges steadfast faith despite hardship, emphasizing that such endurance is part of the Christian calling.
The passage also calls believers to live openly for Christ, even under persecution. On the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A, it aligns with the theme of trusting God while awaiting His work.
The Gospel of John: Jesus’ Prayer for His Own
John’s Gospel centers on revealing Jesus as the Son who makes the Father known. This passage, part of His farewell prayer, focuses on glory, unity, and mission. Jesus prays for His disciples, linking His work to the Father’s plan and their future witness in the world.
It shows the deep relationship between the Father and the Son, which becomes the model for the Church’s unity. On the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A, this prayer connects the waiting disciples to their purpose.
Homilies and Commentaries for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A
Sunday May 17, 2026
Knowing God
In his reflection for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A, Scott Hahn focuses on the disciples gathering in prayer after Jesus ascends to heaven. They wait for the Holy Spirit, showing the unity that Jesus prays for in the Gospel. This oneness reflects the perfect union of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Through the new covenant, we come to know God as our Father, and in the Eucharist, we remember the sacrifice that made this possible.
Scott Hahn explains that through Baptism, we become new creations, filled with the Spirit of glory. As Christians, we may face suffering, but we are called to glorify God in all things. The 7th Sunday of Easter Year A reminds us that, just as Christ overcame suffering, we will also share in His victory. In the end, we will rejoice and dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Reflection for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A
The 7th Sunday of Easter Year A invites us to reflect on Jesus’ prayer before He leaves His disciples. He prays for Himself, His followers, and all who will believe in Him. His words remind us of the importance of our relationship with God, the need for unity, and the call to love one another. These reflections help us think about how we can grow in faith and follow Jesus’ example in our daily lives.
Jesus Prays for Our Relationship with God
The Gospel for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A shows Jesus praying to the Father before He leaves His disciples. He speaks about eternal life and says that knowing God is the key to true life. This reminds us that our faith is not just about rules or traditions. It is about having a real relationship with God.
As Catholics, we build this relationship through prayer, reading Scripture, and receiving the sacraments. When we pray, we are not just saying words. We are speaking to God, who listens and cares for us. Jesus shows us that prayer is more than asking for things. It is about being close to God.
The sacraments, especially the Eucharist, also help us grow in this relationship. When we receive Jesus in the Eucharist, we are united with Him in a special way. This is a reminder that God wants to be close to us. He invites us to know Him and trust Him.
The 7th Sunday of Easter Year A encourages us to deepen our faith by spending time with God. Jesus prayed for us to have eternal life, which means being close to the Father. We should take time each day to talk to God, listen to Him, and grow in our love for Him.
Jesus Prays for Unity Among His Followers
In the Gospel for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A, Jesus prays for His disciples. He asks the Father to protect them and keep them united. He knows that they will face challenges, but He wants them to stay together. This shows us how important unity is in our faith.
The Catholic Church is made up of people from different backgrounds and experiences. Sometimes there are disagreements, but Jesus calls us to remain one in Him. Being united does not mean we always agree on everything. It means we support one another and stay focused on Jesus.
Prayer and the sacraments help us stay united. When we come together for Mass, we are not just individuals. We are one body in Christ. When we pray for one another, we strengthen our bond as members of the Church.
The 7th Sunday of Easter Year A reminds us to work for unity in our families, parishes, and communities. Jesus prayed for His followers to be one, just as He and the Father are one. We can follow His example by being patient, forgiving others, and focusing on what brings us together in faith.
Jesus Prays for Love Among All Believers
In the Gospel for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A, Jesus prays not only for His disciples but for all who will believe in Him. He asks the Father to fill them with His love. This shows that Jesus’ prayer is not just for a small group. It is for everyone who follows Him.
As Catholics, we are called to love one another as Jesus loved us. This love goes beyond our own families and communities. It includes people from all parts of the world. Even when we do not always understand others, we are still called to love and respect them.
Love is shown in actions, not just words. We show love by being kind, helping those in need, and forgiving others. Jesus’ prayer reminds us that love is what unites all believers. When we love as He did, we bring His presence into the world.
The 7th Sunday of Easter Year A invites us to reflect on how we love others. Do we treat people with kindness and respect? Do we pray for those who are different from us? Jesus prayed that all believers would be filled with God’s love. We can be part of answering that prayer by sharing His love with the world.
Jesus’ prayer in the Gospel is a reminder that we are never alone. He prayed for His disciples, and He prayed for us. The 7th Sunday of Easter Year A encourages us to trust in God, seek unity in the Church, and love others as Christ loves us. May we take His words to heart and live them out each day.
Prayer
Father, Jesus prayed for us to know You, to be united, and to love one another. Help us grow in faith and trust in Your plan. Strengthen our relationships with You and with those around us. May we follow Jesus’ example in prayer and love. Keep us close to You always. Amen.
Reflection Questions for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A
- How can I grow in my relationship with God through prayer?
- What does eternal life mean to me, and how does my faith shape my daily life?
- How can I work for unity in my family, parish, and community?
- What are some ways I can show love to those who are different from me?
- How do I respond when I face disagreements with others in the Church?
- How can I follow Jesus’ example in praying for others?
- What does it mean to trust in God’s timing, as the disciples did?
- How can the Eucharist strengthen my relationship with Jesus and with others?
- What challenges do I face in loving others, and how can I overcome them?
- How can I put Jesus’ prayer into action in my life?
Social Media Graphics and Bulletin Artwork for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A
Open Door of Promise
Bring the message of the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A to life in your parish materials with this inspiring image. It captures the hope and expectation of the disciples as they prayed and waited together.
Perfect for bulletins, newsletters, and worship aids, it will help your community reflect on unity, trust, and God’s promise.
Paid subscribers may download a large copy this digital artwork without watermarks, suitable for use in bulletins, social media, newsletters, etc., free of charge by clicking here. You must be logged in as a paid subscriber to access the file.
Only current paid subscribers have the rights to use the artwork.
have pity on me, and answer me.
Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks.
Psalm 27
Pope Francis
Pope Francis
Pope Francis
Music Suggestions for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A
Sunday May 17, 2026
The music selections for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A reflect themes of prayer, unity, and trust in God. Some songs focus on praising God as the source of light and salvation, echoing the Psalm. Others remind us of Jesus’ love and the call to follow Him. Music about the Eucharist connects to the Gospel, where Jesus speaks of eternal life. Songs about the Church’s unity fit with the disciples praying together as they wait for the Holy Spirit. These selections encourage believers to lift their voices in worship and trust in God’s presence.
- 10000 Reasons by Steve Angrisano
- As It Is in Heaven by Matt Maher
- Abba! Father by Carey Landry
- All Creatures of our God and King by Passion and David Crowder Band
- All People That on Earth Do Dwell
- All Shall Be Well by the St. Louis Jesuits
- Beautiful Savior
- Bread of Life by Bernadette Farrell
- How Great Is Our God by Chris Tomlin
- I Have Loved You by Michael Joncas
- I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say by the Hillbilly Thomists
- It Is Well by Bethel Music
- Lead Me, Guide Me by Richard Smallwood
- Lift High the Cross by Sydney H. Nicholson
- Lord, Reign in Me by Benton Brown
- Lord, Who at Thy First Eucharist by William H. Monk & William H. Turton
- Many and One by Steve Angrisano
- O God, How Manifest Are Your Works by Ricky Manalo
- Praise to the Lord (Joyful, Joyful) by Shane & Shane
- Psalm 27 (One Thing) by Shane & Shane
- Psalm 27: The Lord Is My Light by Randall DeBruyn
- Sing Your Praise to the Lord by Amy Grant
- The King of Love My Shepherd Is by Fernando Ortega
- The Lord Is My Light by John Foley
Music directors and musicians can use these songs to highlight the themes of the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A. The selections support prayer, unity, and faith in God’s plan. Try incorporating them into the liturgy and see how they enhance worship. If you have other song suggestions that fit these themes, share them in the comments!
Questions and Answers for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A
What date is the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A?
The next date is Sunday May 17, 2026.
In most dioceses in the United States, the observance of the Solemnity of the Ascension is moved to the following Sunday, superseding the 7th Sunday of Easter.
For other years see the links below:
7th Sunday of Easter Year B
7th Sunday of Easter Year C
What are the Mass readings for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A?
The Catholic Mass readings are:
First Reading – Acts 1:12-14: Prayerful Unity: The Disciples’ Wait for the Holy Spirit
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 27: The Lord is my Light and my Salvation
Second Reading – 1 Peter 4:13-16: Suffering for Christ: Embracing the Cross
Gospel – John 17:1-11: Jesus’ Prayer for Unity and Communion
Why did the disciples return to Jerusalem after Jesus left?
The disciples went back to Jerusalem because Jesus told them to wait there. They gathered in prayer, trusting that God would guide them.
What can we learn from the disciples’ prayer in the first reading?
The disciples prayed together while waiting for the Holy Spirit. This shows that prayer brings strength and unity in uncertain times.
What does the first reading of the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A teach about waiting?
The disciples do not rush ahead on their own. They wait and pray, showing patience and trust in God’s plan.
Why does Peter say suffering for Jesus is a good thing?
Peter says that suffering for Jesus is a blessing because it means we belong to Him. It is better to suffer for doing good than for doing wrong.
How can we apply Peter’s message about suffering to our lives?
When we face trouble because of our faith, we should not be ashamed. Instead, we should trust that God is with us and will give us strength.
How does the second reading of the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A help us face hard times?
Peter reminds believers that suffering is not a reason to give up. He encourages them to stay faithful and find strength in God.
Why does Jesus pray for His followers in the Gospel?
Jesus knows He is leaving and wants His followers to stay strong. He asks God to protect them and keep them united.
What does Jesus mean when He talks about eternal life?
Jesus says that knowing God is the way to eternal life. This means trusting Him and following His teachings leads to true life.
How does the Gospel of the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A show Jesus’ love for His followers?
Jesus prays for His disciples because He cares for them. He wants them to stay close to God and to each other.
How does the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A prepare us for Pentecost?
The readings show the disciples waiting and praying for the Holy Spirit. This teaches us to trust in God’s timing and to stay close to Him in prayer.
Waiting in Prayer and Faith
The 7th Sunday of Easter Year A takes place between the Ascension and Pentecost. The disciples return to Jerusalem and pray together as they wait for the Holy Spirit. They do not know what will happen next, but they trust in Jesus’ words. Their unity in prayer shows their faith and patience.
The second reading reminds believers that suffering for Jesus is not a reason for shame. Peter encourages them to stay strong and trust in God. Facing challenges for their faith is a way to honor God. It is better to suffer for doing good than to turn away from God.
In the Gospel, Jesus prays for His followers before He leaves. He asks God to protect them and keep them united. He also speaks about eternal life, saying that knowing God is the key to true life. The 7th Sunday of Easter Year A reminds believers to pray, stay faithful, and trust in God’s plan.
Your Turn
The 7th Sunday of Easter Year A invites us to reflect on waiting, prayer, and faith. The disciples did not act on their own but trusted in God’s timing. Their example teaches us patience and unity.
How do these readings speak to you? Share your thoughts in the comments. Have you ever faced a time of waiting or challenge in your faith? Let’s reflect together.
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