Thursday of the 7th Week of Eastertide
First Reading — Acts 22:30,23:6–11
Since the tribune wanted to know what precise charge the Jews were bringing, he freed Paul and gave orders for a meeting of the chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin; then he brought Paul down and stood him in front of them.
Now Paul was well aware that one section was made up of Sadducees and the other of Pharisees, so he called out in the Sanhedrin, ‘Brothers, I am a Pharisee and the son of Pharisees. It is for our hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.’
As soon as he said this a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was split between the two parties. For the Sadducees say there is neither resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, while the Pharisees accept all three. The shouting grew louder, and some of the scribes from the Pharisees’ party stood up and protested strongly, ‘We find nothing wrong with this man. Suppose a spirit has spoken to him, or an angel?’
Feeling was running high, and the tribune, afraid that they would tear Paul to pieces, ordered his troops to go down and haul him out and bring him into the fortress.
Next night, the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘Courage! You have borne witness for me in Jerusalem, now you must do the same in Rome.’
Responsorial Psalm — Psalm 15(16):1–2,5,7–11
Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or
Alleluia.
Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.
I say to the Lord: ‘You are my God.
O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup;
it is you yourself who are my prize.’
Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or
Alleluia.
I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel,
who even at night directs my heart.
I keep the Lord ever in my sight:
since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.
Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or
Alleluia.
And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;
even my body shall rest in safety.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead,
nor let your beloved know decay.
Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or
Alleluia.
You will show me the path of life,
the fullness of joy in your presence,
at your right hand happiness for ever.
Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or
Alleluia.
Gospel Acclamation — John 17:21
Alleluia, alleluia!
May all be one as you are, Father, and I in you;
let the world believe that you sent me, says the Lord.
Alleluia!
Gospel — John 17:20–26
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:
‘Holy Father,
I pray not only for these,
but for those also
who through their words will believe in me.
May they all be one.
Father, may they be one in us,
as you are in me and I am in you,
so that the world may believe it was you who sent me.
I have given them the glory you gave to me,
that they may be one as we are one.
With me in them and you in me,
may they be so completely one
that the world will realise that it was you who sent me
and that I have loved them as much as you loved me.
Father, I want those you have given me
to be with me where I am,
so that they may always see the glory you have given me
because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Father, Righteous One,
the world has not known you,
but I have known you,
and these have known that you have sent me.
I have made your name known to them
and will continue to make it known,
so that the love with which you loved me may be in them,
and so that I may be in them.’
Reflection
Today’s readings reveal the strength that comes from remaining close to Christ during opposition, uncertainty, and division. Both Paul and Jesus show believers that courage is not the absence of fear, but faithfulness rooted in God’s presence.
In Acts, Paul stands before the Sanhedrin surrounded by conflict and hostility. The tension between the Pharisees and Sadducees quickly erupts into chaos once Paul speaks about the resurrection of the dead. At the centre of the dispute stands the truth of Christian hope: resurrection through Christ.
Paul understands that his mission will involve suffering. Yet despite threats and confusion, he remains faithful to proclaiming the truth entrusted to him. During the night, the Lord appears to Paul personally and speaks a simple but powerful word: “Courage!”
This moment is deeply comforting because Jesus does not promise Paul immediate escape from hardship. Instead, he promises purpose and presence within it. Paul’s mission is not finished. He must continue bearing witness, even in Rome. CCC 1817 teaches that Christian hope sustains believers through trials because it is anchored in God’s promises rather than temporary circumstances.
The Responsorial Psalm beautifully echoes this trust. “I keep the Lord ever in my sight: since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.” True courage flows from confidence that God remains near even in uncertainty.
The Gospel continues Jesus’ great prayer before his Passion. What is remarkable is that Jesus prays not only for the apostles, but also for future believers — including the Church today. Christ desires unity among his followers so that the world may come to believe in him.
This unity is not superficial agreement or forced sameness. Jesus speaks of a unity rooted in the very life of God: “May they all be one… as you are in me and I am in you.” Christian unity flows from sharing in God’s truth, grace, and love.
The world often promotes division, pride, hostility, and self-interest. Social media, politics, culture, and even personal relationships can easily become places of bitterness and fragmentation. Yet Jesus calls his disciples into something radically different: unity grounded in divine love.
Jesus also reveals the depth of God’s love for believers. “I have loved them as much as you loved me.” This is astonishing. The Father’s love for the Son becomes the love poured into Christ’s followers. CCC 260 explains that the ultimate purpose of salvation is participation in the communion of love shared within the Trinity.
The Gospel also reminds believers that Christian witness matters deeply. Jesus says unity helps the world recognise that the Father sent him. When Christians live with charity, truth, forgiveness, and faithfulness, they reflect God’s presence to the world.
As Eastertide draws closer to Pentecost, the Church is reminded that courage and unity are impossible without grace. The Holy Spirit strengthens believers to remain faithful even amid division, suffering, and uncertainty.
One line to carry today:
True Christian courage comes from remaining close to Christ.
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