Awaken ~ Summer 2024

May 12, 2024
Seventh Sunday of Easter/
Ascension of the Lord
P F L A U M G O S P E L W E E K L I E S F a i t h F o r m a t i o n P r o g r a m
Awaken is written and edited
by Jo Ann Paradise, D.Min.
Acts of the Apostles 1:15–17,
20a, 20c–26
This passage from Acts places
us right into the first dilemma
the Apostles faced after Jesus’
Ascension. How do they replace
Judas? A question we might ask
is, “Why do they feel the need
to replace Judas?” Numbers play
a significant role in the lives of
people of this time. They hold
special meaning and are often
symbolic. You may recall that the
twelve tribes of Israel found their
origin in the twelve sons of Judah.
After leaving Egypt under the
leadership of Moses, and upon
their arrival in Canaan, Joshua
parceled out a portion of the land
to each tribe. Thus, the number
12 became the number that
represented the identity of the
people of Israel. What bound the
tribes to God and to one another
was the lived response to the
covenant. The Apostles understood
that Jesus was the New Covenant.
They were the twelve chosen by
Christ to announce that God’s
kingdom had come. There had to
be twelve.
1 John 4:11–16
All the letters of John in the New
Testament explain the depth
of God’s love. As he writes to
his community, he drives home
how God loves each person and
therefore how members of the
Christian community should love
God and one another. He wants
them to understand that at the
root of all that God does is his love.
This epistle takes this one step
further as John speaks those now
famous three words, “God is love.”
Thousands of years later we are still
trying to grasp the fullness of those
words.
John 17:11b–19
At first glance, one might
misinterpret this reading. You
might conclude that while we live
in this world, we should remove
ourselves from it, as much as
possible. To be a disciple means to
isolate yourself and simply wait for
eternal life. On the contrary, Jesus
is instructing us to be discerning
about the voices that we hear.
Our trust must be placed in those
who believe in the Father and
have faith in Jesus, his Son. In the
Old Testament the word used for
Satan is the “deceiver.” In this long
address of Jesus to his Father, which
takes place during the Last Supper,
Jesus’ prayer is that we may know
the truth, that we might live fully
in response to the truth that he has
revealed to us.
Acts of the Apostles 1:15–17,
20a, 20c–26
1 John 4:11–16
John 17:11b–19
Sunday’s
READINGS
Reflect upon the
distinction between these
two thoughts: God loves.
God is Love.
How do you discern the
characteristics of God’s
love?
Thoughts for
REFLECTION
Opening
PRAYER
Lord, my God, I am so often
confused by all of the voices
that tell me what I need to be
happy. Please send your Spirit
to help me to hear your voice.
You alone have the wisdom to
direct my path. Amen.
Becoming Disciples of the Word
Scripture Background
What You NEED to KNOW
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