SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

READINGS AT MASS TODAY

Acts 1:12-14

Psalm 27

1 Pt. 4:13-16

John 17:1-11

Theme: PREPARING FOR PENTECOST

Dear friends in Christ, N'wokafu YESU KRISTO...

Undoubtedly, we all require many spiritual gifts and blessings from God but how do we pray and prepare for these graces? We find it very difficult to commit to a productive prayer life. The big question that we must all try to answer today is, Have you prayed for that special favor?

In today's First Reading, the disciples, after the Ascension of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem and went up into the upper room and locked themselves in. For Ten (10) days they cut the outside world off and united themselves in prayer until the heavens were opened. (Acts 2:4) We learn a lesson from them: those who bring themselves to the place of prayer must be prepared to 'lock themselves in' and continue in prayer until they get what they are expecting.

The upper room is a spacious living area in palaces or in the temple preserved for prayer or private meetings. It provides adequate space and the privacy needed for prayer (Jer. 22:13-14).

Beloved in Christ, we must learn to go up into our upper rooms and prepare in prayer for great gifts from God. Until we resolve to continue in prayer (spend much time in it, more than the average we do), we are not yet in the best frame to receive any spiritual blessing. 

Like the disciples, we all need our upper spiritual war rooms; a place and a period to prepare for our own Pentecost. A place and a period where we actually pray for that special favor. Every Christian needs a private high place where he goes to meet or wait on God in prayer and fight the spiritual battles of life. We need a place where we can lock ourselves up and storm the heavens until God opens the floodgates of His blessing. 

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, grant us the grace of steadfastness in prayer, we pray. Please deliver us, Lord, from the temptations and distractions that hinder us from communing with you effectually in prayer. Amen.

May God bless you.

Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, May 21, 2023.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.