Seventh Sunday of Easter in Year C: Unity & Intercession

On June 1, 2025, the Seventh Sunday of Easter in Year C of the Catholic liturgical calendar, the readings invite us to reflect on themes of unity, intercession, and the enduring presence of Christ as we approach the culmination of the Easter season. This Sunday falls between the Ascension and Pentecost, a liminal time that calls us to contemplate our mission as disciples and the unity Christ desires for His Church, especially poignant as we consider the global Church under the new leadership of Pope Leo XIV, inaugurated just two weeks prior on May 18, 2025.

The Entrance Antiphon, taken from Psalm 27:7-9, sets a tone of longing and trust: “O Lord, hear my voice, for I have called to you; of you my heart has spoken: Seek his face; hide not your face from me, alleluia.” This plea for God’s presence resonates with the Easter season’s focus on Christ’s risen life and our call to seek Him in all things. The First Reading from Acts 7:55-60 presents the martyrdom of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. As Stephen is filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazes into heaven and sees “the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” Even as he is stoned, Stephen echoes Jesus’ forgiveness, praying, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them,” before falling asleep in the Lord. This passage highlights the power of the Spirit to sustain us in persecution and the radical forgiveness that marks Christian witness—a powerful reminder of our call to love even in the face of hatred.

The Second Reading from Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20 offers the closing words of the Book of Revelation, where Jesus declares, “Behold, I am coming soon,” promising to bring His recompense and identifying Himself as “the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star.” The Spirit and the Bride (the Church) respond with an invitation: “Come!” This passage is a call to hope and readiness, urging us to long for Christ’s return while living faithfully in the present. The imagery of washing robes to enter the city through its gates speaks to the purification and holiness required to dwell with God, a fitting reflection as we prepare for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

The Gospel from John 17:20-26, part of Jesus’ high priestly prayer at the Last Supper, is a profound meditation on unity. Jesus prays for His disciples and for all who will believe through their word, “that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you.” He desires that this unity be a witness to the world, “so that the world may know that you sent me and that you loved them even as you loved me.” Jesus also prays that His followers may be with Him where He is, to see His glory, and He declares that He has made the Father’s name known, continuing to do so “that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.” This prayer reveals the heart of Jesus’ mission: to draw all people into the communion of love that exists between the Father and the Son, a communion that transforms the world through its witness.

Reflecting on these readings, I’m struck by the deep connection between unity, witness, and the presence of Christ. Stephen’s martyrdom in Acts shows the cost of discipleship but also the power of the Spirit to sustain us in trial. His vision of Jesus at God’s right hand mirrors Jesus’ prayer in the Gospel that we may be with Him and see His glory—a reminder that our ultimate hope is eternal communion with God. Stephen’s forgiveness of his persecutors reflects the love Jesus speaks of in John, a love that flows from the Father and unites us as one. In a world often marked by division—whether in global conflicts like those ongoing in Ukraine or in the cultural polarization seen in recent debates over technology and ethics—this call to unity and love feels both urgent and challenging.

The Revelation reading adds a layer of eschatological hope. Jesus’ promise, “I am coming soon,” paired with the Church’s longing cry of “Come!” invites us to live with an eternal perspective. As we stand on the cusp of Pentecost, this reading reminds us that the Spirit empowers us to live as a people of hope, ready for Christ’s return, while actively inviting others into the life of grace. The image of washing our robes resonates with me personally—how am I preparing my heart for God’s presence? Am I living in a way that reflects the holiness to which I’m called?

Jesus’ prayer in the Gospel cuts to the core of what it means to be Church. His desire for unity “as you, Father, are in me and I in you” is a high calling, especially as the global Church navigates a new era under Pope Leo XIV. Just two weeks after his inauguration on May 18, 2025, Leo XIV has already emphasized dialogue and encounter, calling for the Church to “build bridges” in his first address. This echoes Jesus’ prayer for unity as a witness to the world. The fact that Leo XIV, the first American pope, has chosen to focus on peace and service to the marginalized—rooted in his decades of missionary work in Peru—feels like a living out of Jesus’ prayer that the Father’s love may dwell in us. In a time when the Church faces challenges like declining attendance in the West and persecution in parts of the Middle East, this call to unity and love is a reminder of our shared mission to make Christ’s love known.

As I reflect on June 1, 2025, these readings challenge me to examine my own role in fostering unity and love. Do I forgive as Stephen did, even when wronged? Am I living with the hope of Christ’s return, as Revelation calls me to? And am I contributing to the unity Jesus prays for, or am I allowing division to take root in my heart or community? The Seventh Sunday of Easter invites us to prepare for Pentecost by seeking God’s face, as the Entrance Antiphon urges, and by living as witnesses to the love and unity that Christ desires for His Church. May we, under the guidance of Pope Leo XIV and empowered by the coming Holy Spirit, be a people who reflect the Father’s love to a world in need of healing and hope.

The 1,700th Anniversary of the Council of Nicaea: A Reflection

The Council of Nicaea, convened in 325 AD, is a pivotal event in Christian history, and its anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on its significance, outcomes, and enduring impact. Since today is May 22, 2025, we are marking the 1,700th anniversary of the council, which opened on May 20, 325 AD, in the city of Nicaea (modern-day İznik, Turkey). Below, I’ll provide a concise overview of the council, its historical context, key decisions, and its relevance today.

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The 1,700th Anniversary of the Council of Nicaea: A Reflection

On May 20, 2025, the Christian world quietly celebrated the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, a landmark gathering that shaped the theological and organizational foundations of Christianity. Convened by Emperor Constantine I in 325 AD, the council was the first ecumenical assembly of bishops, bringing together around 300 leaders from across the Roman Empire to address pressing theological disputes and unify the rapidly growing Christian faith.

The Council of Nicaea was prompted primarily by the Arian controversy, a theological dispute that threatened to fracture the church. Arius, a presbyter from Alexandria, taught that Jesus Christ, the Son, was a created being, subordinate to God the Father, and not co-eternal or of the same substance (homoousios). This view clashed with the position of Alexander, Bishop of Alexandria, and his deacon Athanasius, who argued that the Son was fully divine, co-eternal, and of the same essence as the Father. The debate had far-reaching implications for Christian doctrine, as it questioned the nature of Christ’s divinity and the Trinity.

Constantine, seeking to maintain unity in his empire and the church, summoned bishops to Nicaea, a city strategically located in Bithynia (modern-day northwestern Turkey). The council opened on May 20, 325, and lasted until late July. The bishops, many of whom bore scars from recent persecutions under earlier Roman emperors, debated fiercely but ultimately produced the Nicene Creed, a statement of faith that affirmed the full divinity of Christ. The creed declared that the Son is “begotten, not made, consubstantial (homoousios) with the Father,” directly refuting Arianism. Arius was condemned, and his teachings were declared heretical, though Arianism persisted for centuries in various forms.

Beyond the Arian controversy, the council addressed other matters. It established a method for calculating the date of Easter, aiming for uniformity across the church, and issued 20 canons on ecclesiastical discipline, including rules for clergy, the reconciliation of lapsed Christians, and the organization of church provinces. The council also recognized the special authority of the sees of Rome, Alexandria, and Antioch, laying the groundwork for the church’s hierarchical structure.

The 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea in 2025 offers a moment to reflect on its enduring legacy. The Nicene Creed remains a cornerstone of Christian liturgy, recited in Catholic, Orthodox, and many Protestant churches, uniting believers across denominations in a shared profession of faith. The council’s affirmation of Christ’s divinity and the Trinitarian framework it solidified continue to shape Christian theology, influencing debates like the later filioque controversy, which you mentioned earlier in our conversation.

Historically, the Council of Nicaea marked a turning point in the relationship between church and state. Constantine’s involvement set a precedent for imperial influence in ecclesiastical matters, a dynamic that would both support and challenge the church in the centuries that followed. The council also laid the foundation for future ecumenical councils, establishing a model for addressing theological disputes through collective discernment.

Today, as we commemorate this milestone, the Council of Nicaea reminds us of the challenges and triumphs of early Christianity. It speaks to the importance of unity in the face of division, a message that resonates in our contemporary world, where ideological and theological differences often divide communities. The council’s legacy endures in the faith of billions who affirm the divinity of Christ and the mystery of the Trinity, a testament to the enduring power of the decisions made 1,700 years ago in a small city by a group of bishops seeking to define the truth of their faith.

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Easter Sunday: The Resurrection Lives On, Let Us Live In Unity

Reflection on Easter Sunday Readings (Catholic Year C): The Resurrection of Jesus, Evidence, the Shroud of Turin, and a Call for Christian Unity

Easter Sunday in the Catholic liturgical calendar for Year C is a profound celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of our faith. The readings for this day—Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Colossians 3:1-4 (or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8); and John 20:1-9—illuminate the transformative power of Christ’s rising from the dead, while this year’s unique alignment of Catholic and Orthodox Easter on April 20, 2025, alongside the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, invites us to reflect on unity between the churches. Additionally, we’ll explore the Resurrection’s historical evidence, including the enigmatic Shroud of Turin, and pray for the Orthodox Church’s return to communion with Rome.

The Readings: A Testament to the Resurrection

The first reading from Acts 10:34a, 37-43 presents Peter’s bold proclamation to Cornelius and his household. Peter recounts Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, emphasizing that “he was raised on the third day and appeared… to us, the witnesses chosen by God” (Acts 10:40-41). This testimony underscores the reality of the Resurrection—not a myth, but an event witnessed by those who “ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead” (Acts 10:41). Peter’s words remind us that the Resurrection is the foundation of Christian preaching, a lived experience that transformed the apostles into fearless heralds of the Gospel.

The second reading, Colossians 3:1-4, calls us to set our hearts on “things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1). Paul connects the Resurrection to our own spiritual renewal, urging us to die to sin and live for Christ. Alternatively, 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8 uses the metaphor of yeast to highlight the new life we are called to in Christ, free from the “old yeast” of sin. Both passages challenge us to embody the Resurrection’s transformative power in our daily lives, reflecting the hope and glory of Christ’s victory over death.

The Gospel from John 20:1-9 vividly narrates the discovery of the empty tomb. Mary Magdalene arrives at the tomb early on the first day of the week, finding the stone rolled away. She runs to tell Peter and the beloved disciple, who race to the tomb. The beloved disciple, arriving first, sees the burial cloths but waits for Peter to enter. Peter finds the tomb empty, with the cloths neatly arranged, and the beloved disciple “saw and believed” (John 20:8). This passage captures the dawning realization of the Resurrection—a moment of awe and faith that changes everything. The empty tomb is not just an absence; it is a presence, a sign of Christ’s triumph over death.

The Resurrection of Jesus: Evidence and the Shroud of Turin

The Resurrection is the linchpin of Christian faith, as Paul declares, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile” (1 Corinthians 15:17). Beyond the biblical accounts, historical evidence supports the Resurrection’s reality. The transformation of the apostles—from fearful deserters to bold martyrs—suggests they encountered the risen Christ. Non-Christian sources, like the Jewish historian Josephus (circa 37-100 CE), confirm Jesus’ crucifixion and the early Christian belief in his resurrection, noting that his followers “reported that he had appeared to them after his crucifixion and that he was alive” (Antiquities 18.3.3). The rapid spread of Christianity, despite persecution, further attests to the conviction of those who witnessed the risen Lord.

One of the most intriguing pieces of physical evidence is the Shroud of Turin, a linen cloth bearing the faint image of a crucified man, believed by many to be Jesus. The shroud, housed in Turin, Italy, since the 14th century, shows a man who endured scourging, crucifixion, and a spear wound to the side—details matching the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ Passion. The image, a photographic negative, was not fully understood until the advent of photography in 1898, when Secondo Pia’s negative revealed a detailed, anatomically precise figure. Modern scientific studies, including pollen analysis linking the shroud to Jerusalem and blood tests identifying type AB blood, suggest authenticity. However, a 1988 carbon-14 dating placed the shroud in the Middle Ages (1260-1390 CE), though subsequent research has questioned this result, citing contamination and repairs to the fabric. While the Catholic Church does not officially declare the shroud as Christ’s burial cloth, it remains a powerful artifact, inviting reflection on the mystery of the Resurrection. The shroud’s inexplicable image—neither painted nor fully explained by natural processes—mirrors the mystery of Christ’s rising, a sign pointing to a reality beyond human comprehension.

A Historic Easter: Unity with the Orthodox Church and the Council of Nicaea Anniversary

This Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, holds special significance as Catholic and Orthodox Christians celebrate on the same day, a rare alignment of the Gregorian and Julian calendars. This convergence coincides with the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea (325 CE), a pivotal moment in Christian history. The Council of Nicaea, convened by Emperor Constantine, established the Nicene Creed and set a formula for calculating Easter: the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox. This formula aimed to unify the Church’s celebration of the Resurrection, but over centuries, differences in calendars led to divergent dates for Easter between East and West, particularly after the Catholic Church adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1582.

The shared Easter date this year is a powerful symbol of unity, reflecting the “spirit of Nicaea” that continues to animate the Church’s mission. Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople have both expressed hope for a permanent common Easter date, with discussions ongoing since the 1990s, including the 1997 Aleppo Declaration by the World Council of Churches. The Council of Nicaea’s legacy reminds us of Jesus’ prayer “that they may all be one” (John 17:21), a prayer echoed in the ecumenical efforts of today. The alignment of Easter in 2025, as noted by Patriarch Bartholomew, is not merely a calendrical coincidence but an opportunity to reflect on our shared patrimony and strive for reconciliation.

As Catholics, we pray and hope for the Orthodox Church’s return to full communion with Rome, healing the schism of 1054. While challenges remain—such as tensions within the Orthodox communion, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine and differing views on calendar reform—this shared Easter offers a glimpse of unity. In places like the Holy Land, where the Catholic Latin Patriarchate has adopted the Julian date for Easter to foster unity among Christians, we see practical steps toward this goal. We join Pope Francis in longing for the day when East and West can fully “exchange gifts” in communion, fulfilling the unity Christ desires.

Conclusion: Living the Resurrection in Hope and Unity

The readings for Easter Sunday Year C call us to live as resurrection people, transformed by Christ’s victory over death. The historical evidence, including the mysterious Shroud of Turin, invites us to ponder the reality of this event, which defies human explanation yet anchors our faith. This year’s shared Easter with the Orthodox, on the 1,700th anniversary of Nicaea, is a moment to celebrate our common faith and pray for unity. As we proclaim, “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!” let us commit to being agents of reconciliation, working toward the day when the Orthodox Church returns to Rome, and all Christians can celebrate the Resurrection as one body in Christ.