Even the most impatient of us might, on occasion, spend hours looking for just the right greeting card or perfect gift for someone we care about.

We want to send a message that will gladden the heart of that special person every time it’s read or give a gift our loved one will appreciate, use, and benefit from often.

Our Savior has given us such a gift and message. During Holy Week, we recalled how Jesus gave of himself for us at the Last Supper and on Calvary. Throughout the Easter season, we celebrate Christ’s Resurrection and renew our gratitude for His gift of salvation which fills us with hope and joy in the midst of life’s struggles.

Today’s Scriptures assure us His message of love and hope for all people is as uplifting, inspiring, and timely as ever.

• Jesus’ prayer in John’s Gospel shows His concern for the well-being of His disciples who will spread His message and for all who come to believe in Him through their preaching.

Our Lord knows His disciples will be living in an unbelieving world whose values they must challenge. He prays His Father will give them strength to deal with the hardships they will encounter as they proclaim the Gospel.

• Christ’s faithful witnesses are encouraged by John’s disclosure in Revelation that when the Lord comes He will bring recompense for each person according to his deeds. John’s words are an urgent appeal to believers not to let their guards down, lose heart, or waver in their commitment to the Gospel and a reminder the wicked will be punished but the faithful will enter the heavenly kingdom.

• As we read of Stephen’s courage in Acts, we see how supportive the Lord’s promise of heavenly glory can be to someone undergoing persecution or facing martyrdom, and realize Jesus’ concern for His followers is justified.

Stephen’s murderers in the first century wanted no part of the Gospel. Today, many ignore the Church while others are angry or resentful when she confronts, criticizes, or questions the values and morals of our society and the behavior of Catholics and individuals in positions of leadership. We remember:

Last November, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued the document “Happy Are Those Who Are Called to His Supper,” in which they reiterated Catholics must be in union with God and the Church to receive the Eucharist worthily. If we are no longer in the state of grace because of mortal sin, a rejection of communion with God, we are seriously obliged to refrain from receiving Holy Communion until we are reconciled with God and the Church.

The bishops indicated if a Catholic knowingly and obstinately rejected or repudiated defined Church doctrine or moral teaching, he or she would seriously diminish his or her communion with the Church and stated “when a person is publicly known to have committed serious sin or to have rejected definitive Church teaching and is not yet reconciled with the Church, reception of Holy Communion by that person is likely to cause serious scandal for others.” Persons in such situations should refrain from receiving Holy Communion.

In February, 2007, Cardinal Edward Egan and Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio responded to the NYC Health department’s distribution of condoms on St. Valentine’s Day.
“The decision of the City of New York to distribute 18 million free condoms to the public, and minors as well, ... is tragic and misguided. ...

“Our political leaders fail to protect the moral tone of our community when they encourage inappropriate sexual activity by blanketing our neighborhoods with condoms. Although in their statements they give nod to the truth that only abstinence before marriage and fidelity within marriage are fail safe, by their actions they ignore that truth and degrade societal standards.”

The U.S. Catholic Conference document and the prelates’ statement challenge us not to lower our standards, let our guard down, or be intimidated by popular opinion.

When the sacrifices necessary to live up to these teachings of our spiritual leaders are embraced, everyone benefits. Individuals become more self-disciplined and less selfish, marriages and families are strengthened, and the moral tone and quality of life in our society is improved.

Since Jesus looked beyond His sufferings for our sake, we should strive to overcome our desire for immediate gratification and abandon the pride that tempts us to want to do things our way rather than God’s way so that we can be better, more worthy followers and witnesses of Our Lord.

In today’s readings, Christ’s prayer for us and His promise of the eternal rewards awaiting us if we are faithful fill us with hope and convince us He wants what is best for us. These texts assure us His love, gift, and message are always there to guide us. Let us appreciate, use, and benefit from them often.

Readings for the Seventh Sunday of Easter
First Reading – Acts of the Apostles 7: 55-60
Second Reading — Revelation 22: 12-24, 16-17, 20
Gospel – John 17: 20-26