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.
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.
Themes for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A
The readings for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A remind us that even though Jesus is not with us in his human body, we are still connected to him and to each other in prayer. The first reading tells of how after the ascension of Jesus, his followers grow in community by praying together. The psalm expresses our longing for God. The second reading reminds us to glorify God always, even when we are suffering. And in the gospel Jesus prays as he prepares to ascend.
- The unity of believers: This Sunday focuses on the prayer of Jesus for his disciples to be united, just as he and the Father are one. The theme emphasizes the importance of unity and love among Christians.
- Witnessing and evangelism: The Gospel reading for this Sunday is from John 17:1-11, in which Jesus prays for his disciples and asks them to witness to the world about his mission and teachings.
- Waiting for the Holy Spirit: As the Sunday after Ascension Thursday, this Sunday also prepares the faithful for the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. The theme focuses on waiting and praying for the Holy Spirit's guidance and empowerment.
- Embracing new beginnings: In order to move forward towards a hopeful future, we must relinquish the past and let go of any burdens that may hold us back. This requires us to seek forgiveness and healing, as we embark on a fresh start. We should also take time to reflect on our purpose and mission in life, seeking discernment of God's will, and trust in His guidance as we prepare ourselves for what lies ahead.
See the Homilies and Reflections section and the More Thoughts section for further expansion on these readings and some reflection questions for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A.
Resources for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A
Catholic Prayers
Prayers bring us closer to God. We pray to change our own hearts and bring them into alignment with the heart of God. We pour ourselves out to God and know that we are heard. We also let God speak to us. See a collection of prayers on this site.
Prayers Based on the Psalms
The Book of Psalms is a book of prayers. The psalms express the author’s praise, thanksgiving, distress, or even anger. See a collection of prayers based on psalms.
Homilies and Reflections for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A
The Power of Prayer
Fr. Mike Schmitz lays down the reasons we should pray and gives a few spot-on examples of how real life reflects the nature of prayer. Through prayer, God invites us into his will and gives us the dignity to participate in it, which strengthens our relationship with him.
Knowing God
A reflection for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A from Scott Hahn. "The unity of the early Church at Jerusalem is a sign of the oneness that Christ prays for in today’s Gospel. The Church is to be a communion on earth that mirrors the glorious union of Father, Son, and Spirit in the Trinity. " Read on.
More Thoughts for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A
In the gospel for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A, Jesus prays to the Father for himself, his disciples, and all believers. As Catholics, this passage is particularly significant as it highlights the importance of unity and communion within the Church.
In the opening verses, Jesus addresses the Father, acknowledging that his hour has come and that he will soon be glorified. He speaks of the eternal life that comes from knowing God, emphasizing the significance of a personal relationship with the Father.
As Catholics, we understand the importance of building and maintaining a close relationship with God through prayer and the sacraments. It is through this relationship that we can experience the fullness of life that Jesus speaks of in this passage.
Jesus then turns his attention to his disciples, praying for them and asking the Father to keep them safe from the evil one. He speaks of the unity that he and the Father share, and prays that his disciples may also be united with him and with one another.
This message of unity is particularly relevant to the Catholic Church today, as we grapple with divisions and disagreements within our community. Jesus’ prayer reminds us of the importance of coming together as one body in Christ, despite our differences.
Finally, Jesus extends his prayer to all believers, praying that they too may be united with him and with one another. He speaks of the love that the Father has for him, and prays that this same love may be in all believers.
As Catholics, the readings for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A remind us that we are called to love one another as Christ loved us. This love extends beyond our immediate community to all believers around the world. Through prayer and communion with one another, we can work towards the unity that Jesus prayed for in this passage.
Reflection Questions for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A
- What does it mean to have eternal life, and how can we cultivate a personal relationship with God in our daily lives?
- How can we work towards greater unity and communion within the Catholic Church, despite our differences and disagreements?
- In what ways do we see the love of the Father present in our lives, and how can we extend this same love to others?
- How can we pray for and support our fellow believers, both within our own community and around the world?
- What steps can we take in our own lives to become more united with Christ and with one another as members of the Catholic Church?
- How does this passage challenge us to rethink our own attitudes and behaviors towards those with whom we may disagree or find difficult to love?
- What can we learn from Jesus' example of prayer and his emphasis on unity and love in this passage, and how can we apply these lessons to our own lives as Catholics?
Quotes and Social Media Graphics for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A
Hear, O Lord, the sound of my call;
Psalm 27
have pity on me, and answer me.
Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks.
Prayer allows us to see one another the way God our Father sees us, and to realize that we are brothers and sisters.
Pope Francis
Through prayer we can enter into a stable relationship with God, the source of true joy.
Pope Francis
Prayer is an expression of our need to respond to God’s love, which always precedes and sustains us. Christians pray in the knowledge that, although unworthy, we are still loved.
Pope Francis
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