7th Sunday of Easter Year B

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. See readings and resources for the Ascension of the Lord Year B instead.

• First Reading - Acts 1:15-17, 20A, 20C-26: Peter explained the need to replace Judas to maintain the twelve apostles. From two nominees, Matthias was chosen by casting lots, fulfilling his role as witness to Jesus' resurrection.
• Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 103: Praise the Lord deeply, remembering His kindnesses. His mercy is vast, and He removes our sins far from us. His throne in heaven rules over all.
• Second Reading - 1 John 4:11-16: Since God's love for us is profound, we are called to love each other deeply. By loving one another, God's presence is affirmed within us, perfecting His love through our actions.
• Gospel - John 17:11B-19: Jesus, looking to heaven, prayed for His disciples' protection through God's name, to unite them as He and the Father are united. He acknowledged His care for them and His imminent return to the Father, desiring them to experience His joy fully. Jesus asked not for their removal from the world but for their protection from evil, emphasizing their sanctification and separation from worldly values. He committed Himself to their sanctification, mirroring His mission to the world.

The readings for the 7th Sunday of Easter for Year B tell us that God knows our hearts and wants us to belong to him, not to the world. The second reading tells us to be united with God in love. And in the gospel Jesus prays for his disciples, that they kept safe and be consecrated to the Good News. So this weeks focus can be on commitment, rejecting evil, and living lives of service.

7th Sunday of Easter Year B have themes of leadership, divine love, and Jesus' prayer for His disciples. Here are some themes from the readings:

• Apostolic continuity and witness: Peter addresses the need to replace Judas to maintain the group of twelve apostles, essential for witnessing Jesus' resurrection. This emphasizes the importance of leadership continuity in the Church.
• God's love and our response: John speaks about the profound love of God for us and our call to love each other deeply. This mutual love confirms God's presence among us and perfects His love through our actions.
• Unity and protection in God’s name: Jesus prays for His disciples’ unity and protection, linking their unity to the unity between Him and the Father. This highlights the spiritual strength and community found in divine unity.
• Sanctification and the world: Jesus’ prayer focuses on protecting His disciples from evil and sanctifying them in the truth. He distinguishes between being in the world and being of the world, urging a life set apart by truth.
• Joy and mission: Jesus expresses a desire for His disciples to experience the fullness of joy, tying their joy to the fulfillment of their mission and His care for them.

The readings for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year B guide use in understanding our mission and the nature of Christian community and holiness.

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 B

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St. Michael the Archangel Prayer

On the 7th Sunday of Easter Year B, the St. Michael the Archangel prayer can be particularly meaningful, echoing the protective themes in the Gospel. This prayer calls upon St. Michael to defend us against evil, reflecting Jesus' request for His followers' protection. As we read about Jesus praying for our safety and unity, invoking St. Michael reinforces this theme, reminding us of the spiritual support we have in our battles against the forces that seek to divide or harm us.

The High Priestly Prayer

Bishop Robert Barron's homily for for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year B focuses on Jesus' High Priestly Prayer from the Gospel of John, emphasizing Christian unity and the mission to bring others into this unity. He explains that anything opposing God's unity is considered sin, highlighting the constant challenge Christians face from the world that resists God's purposes.

Bishop Barron encourages Christians not to withdraw from the world but to transform it, underscoring the importance of staying true to Jesus' teachings despite opposition. He concludes that living a Christian life is about following Jesus, which includes facing opposition and working towards transforming culture.

The 7th Sunday of Easter Year B marks a profound moment in the Christian calendar. It falls between Ascension Thursday, when Jesus ascended into heaven, and Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles. This period invites us to reflect on our role as followers of Christ in a world from which He has physically departed but spiritually remains through the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Prays for Unity

In the Gospel for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year B, we listen to Jesus praying for His disciples. He knows He will soon leave them, and His primary concern is their unity. Jesus prays, “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one.” This prayer is not just for the Apostles; it extends to all who believe in Him through their message.

Unity is a key theme in Christianity. Jesus desires that we, as His followers, are united in belief and purpose just as He is united with the Father. This unity is not about being the same in every way; instead, it's about working together towards a common goal—loving God and loving others.

The Role of the Church

Jesus' prayer also highlights the role of the Church. He asks for God’s protection over His followers from the evil one, indicating the challenges they will face from the world. The Church is seen as a beacon of God’s light in a sometimes dark world, a community where believers support one another in faith.

The First Reading for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year B shows the Apostles in action, making decisions to maintain the integrity and structure of their group. They chose Matthias to replace Judas, ensuring that the group of twelve remained complete. This act shows the early Church’s commitment to unity and continuity.

Living in the World

In the Gospel, Jesus acknowledges that His followers are not of the world, even as He is not of it. However, He does not ask for them to be taken out of the world but to be protected from evil. This is a powerful reminder for us. While we are part of this world, we are also called to live by the values of God’s kingdom—values that often contrast with worldly attitudes.

Jesus sends us into the world just as the Father sent Him. This mission is not easy. It involves proclaiming the truth and living out our faith in a way that might not always be popular or accepted. But it is what we are called to do.

The Call to Holiness

Jesus' request to "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth" speaks directly to our call to holiness. To sanctify means to set apart for sacred use. We are set apart not to be isolated, but to be God’s instruments in the world. Living in truth and holiness is about aligning our lives with God’s word and His commandments.

Being sanctified in truth also means that our actions and decisions should reflect our faith. We cannot claim to follow Jesus and then live in ways that contradict His teachings. This alignment is challenging but essential.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

Next Sunday, we celebrate Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit. The period we are currently in is a time of waiting and preparation. Just as the apostles waited in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit, we are called to prepare our hearts and communities to be rejuvenated by the Spirit’s power.

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in our lives as Christians. He guides us, strengthens us, and helps us to grow in faith. The Spirit also empowers us to witness to Jesus Christ in our actions and words. As we approach Pentecost, let’s pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives and our churches.

The 7th Sunday of Easter Year B serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus’ ongoing presence and our active role as His followers. Through His prayer, Jesus highlights the importance of unity and protection from evil. As we live in the world, we are not of the world. We are called to be distinct yet engaged, promoting the values of the Kingdom of God.

As we move toward Pentecost, let's renew our commitment to live by the Spirit, to be unified in our faith, and to actively participate in the mission of Christ. Let us be inspired by Jesus' prayer and live out our faith boldly and with love.

• Understanding Unity: Jesus prayed for unity among all believers. Reflect on your own community. Are there divisions that need healing? What steps can you take to promote unity within your local church or community?
• Engagement with the World: Jesus asked for His followers to be protected from the evil one, not taken out of the world. How do you balance being in the world but not of it? Can you identify any challenges where you need to more clearly demonstrate your Christian beliefs?
• Role of the Holy Spirit: As we approach Pentecost, how do you perceive the role of the Holy Spirit in your life? Are there areas where you need more guidance, strength, or courage from the Holy Spirit?
• Mission of Witness: Jesus sent His followers into the world just as He was sent by the Father. How do you witness to the love and teachings of Jesus in your daily life? Are there opportunities you might be missing to share the Gospel with others?
• Prayer and Protection: Reflect on Jesus' prayer for His disciples’ protection. How does this prayer affect your understanding of God’s care for you? In what ways do you need God’s protection in your own life right now?
• Living Out the Gospel: What does it mean to you to be sanctified in truth, as Jesus prayed? How can you more fully live out the truth of the Gospel in your daily actions and decisions?
• Spiritual Preparation for Pentecost: How are you preparing for Pentecost? What does a renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit look like in your life? How can you be more open to the transformations the Holy Spirit might want to bring about in you?

For the 7th Sunday of Easter Year B, choose hymns and contemporary songs that reflect unity, divine protection, and the anticipation of the Holy Spirit, aligning with the themes of Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer. Opt for music that emphasizes God's protective role and calls upon the Holy Spirit, resonating with the day’s readings. Songs for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year B should inspire the congregation to embrace their role as witnesses in the world, following Christ’s example.

• 10000 Reasons
• A Rightful Place
• Alleluia Sing to Jesus
• Be Lifted High
• For the Healing of the Nations
• How Great Is Our God
• In Christ There Is No East or West
• Lead Me Lord
• Lift Every Voice and Sing
• Love Came Down
• Love One Another
• Overflow
• Take My Life
• These Alone Are Enough
• Where Charity and Love Abound
• Where Charity and Love Abide
• Your Peace Will Make Us One

The 7th Sunday of Easter Year B is a time for songs that not only call for spiritual renewal but also empower believers to live out their faith actively, with hymns that speak to the mission of the Church to spread the Gospel and serve in love.

What date is the 7th Sunday of Easter Year B?

The next date is Sunday May 12, 2024.
For other years see the links below:
7th Sunday of Easter Year A: Sunday May 17, 2026
7th Sunday of Easter Year C: Sunday June 1, 2025

What are the Mass readings for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year B?

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.
The Catholic Mass readings for Sunday May 12, 2024 are:
First Reading - Acts 1:15-17, 20A, 20C-26: Matthias Chosen as Apostle
Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 103: Sovereign Mercy of God
Second Reading - 1 John 4:11-16: Living in God's Love
Gospel - John 17:11B-19: Jesus Prays for His Disciples

What did Peter do in the First Reading for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year B?

Peter talked about the need to find someone to take Judas' place as an apostle. They chose Matthias by casting lots, which means they left the decision up to God.

Why did Peter want to replace Judas with another apostle?

Peter wanted to maintain the group of twelve apostles because they were important for the leadership and growth of the early church. They were witnesses to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. Also, the number 12 represented the 12 tribes of Israel.

What is the main message of the Second Reading for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year B?

The Second Reading from 1 John 4:11-16 tells us that because God loves us a lot, we should also love each other. When we love one another, it shows that God is with us.

How does loving others show God's presence in us?

Loving others makes God's presence real in our lives. It shows that we are living the way God wants us to, filled with love and kindness.

What did Jesus pray for in the Gospel for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year B?

In the Gospel from John 17:11B-19, Jesus prayed to protect His disciples and keep them united just like He and the Father are united. He also asked for their joy to be complete and for their protection from evil.

What did Jesus ask God not to do for His disciples in the Gospel?

Jesus asked God not to take the disciples out of the world but to protect them from evil. He wanted them to stay in the world and live out God's truth.

What does it mean to be sanctified according to the Gospel reading for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year B?

Being sanctified means being set apart for a special purpose by God. Jesus wanted His disciples to be different from the world, living by God's standards and spreading His message.