The Seventh Sunday of Easter falls between the Ascension and Pentecost. It is a time of expectant waiting—Jesus has ascended to the Father, and the Church awaits the promised gift of the Holy Spirit.
This Sunday occupies a unique position in the liturgical calendar. Jesus has ascended (either on the previous Thursday or this Sunday, depending on local observance). The disciples have returned to Jerusalem to wait, pray, and prepare for the Spirit's coming.
"Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away." — Acts 1:12, 14
The Gospel often features Jesus' prayer for his disciples from John 17:
"I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them through your name which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are." — John 17:11
Jesus prays for protection, sanctification, and unity—for those first disciples and for all who would believe through their word.
Unity is a central theme of Jesus' prayer:
"'Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me." — John 17:20-21
Christian unity is not merely organizational but participates in the unity of the Trinity itself.
Like the early disciples in the upper room, we spend this week in prayer, preparing for Pentecost. The Church offers the Novena to the Holy Spirit during these nine days—the original novena.
The birthday of the Church approaches. The Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead is about to be poured out on all flesh. The mission to the ends of the earth is about to begin.