God speaks and listens to us

Acts 1:12-14, 1 Pet. 4:13-16, Jn 17:1-11. On this Seventh Sunday of Easter Year A, which is also known as "World Communication Sunday", the Church invites us to deepen our relationship with God and renew our prayer life. In today's first reading, the Apostles were strengthened by what they witnessed in the Ascension and in today's second reading, the Apostle encourages the faithful people of God to remain steadfast in their faith amidst persecution and challenges. Thus, they were encouraged to remain strong in their struggle to keep the faith, as they endured the sufferings for the glory of God.

In today's Gospel, Jesus prays to His Father in Heaven for the sake of His disciples. Prayer is a form of communication with God. As we communicate regularly with our loved ones, we must have the same genuine communication with God through prayer. For an effective communication, there must be interaction between us and God. Today, we are enjoined not to treat prayer as a way to exploit God as a wonderworker to solve all our issues and matters. Instead, we form a genuine and strong relationship with God. If we are not sure how to do that, let us look at the examples shown by Christ, as He prayed to His Heavenly Father, representing us as our High Priest, lifting up the prayers of the faithful to God. He thanked God and blessed His Name for all He had done and then He asked through prayers, blessings and strength not for Himself, but for His disciples to be strengthened in faith amidst the trials they would come to face. In prayer, we also need to listen to the words of God speaking to us in the depth of our hearts. For if we say that prayer is a two-way communication, then we should be able to listen just as God listens to us. By establishing a healthier and better relationship with God, we will be able to live a better Christian life.

May the Lord strengthen our faith and bring us closer to God in prayer! Amen!! Stay safe and save life, Jesus loves you, happy Sunday!!!