Acts 7:55-60 / Apocalypse 22:12-14, 16-17, 20 / John 17:20-26
If we know that something is going to happen, then we will surely make preparations for it.
Of course, we can't predict the future, and there is no need to read about what the horoscopes say.
But there are obvious indications of what we need to plan and what to prepare for the future.
For example, we need financial security and insurance coverage for what might happen in life.
So, we save up for a rainy day, and we will buy life insurance, health insurance and hospital insurance.
What we think is necessary, and if we are able to afford it, we should get it done.
Because if we don't help ourselves to plan and prepare for the future, then there will be no one to help us when we are in need.
And there's no need to plan too much.
What is necessary and obvious, we should know.
It is a matter of pondering and thinking about it, and getting it done.
The gospel is part of a long prayer of Jesus. Jesus prayed that we, His church, will be united as one.
Just as He and the Father are one, Jesus prayed that we, His Church, will also be one in God.
Jesus said this prayer at the Last Supper, so it was His last prayer before He was arrested.
Jesus knew what was going to happen soon. One of His disciples will betray Him, another will deny Him, the others will desert Him. Because He knew what was going to happen, He prayed that His disciples will be reunited, and united with love and in love.
But that prayer is not just for His disciples.
It is also for the many generations of Christians to come.
Throughout the history of the Church, there were heresies and schisms which have broken up and torn the Church apart.
Besides the division from within, there were also threats of persecution resulting in some Christians giving up and renouncing their faith.
One such external threat was in the 5th century when the merciless barbarian Attila the Hun ravaged Italy and was about to attack the city of Rome.
The pope then, Pope Leo I, or Leo the Great, went to meet at Attila to persuade him not to attack Rome.
The historical fact is that Attila the Hun turned back and did not attack Rome.
It was said that Pope Leo had prepared for the meeting with Attila by first celebrating the Eucharist, and then he went out in procession with the faithful, chanting prayers and singing hymns.
There are many reasons as to why Attila turned back and did not attack Rome.
There is also a legend that when Attila saw Pope Leo, he reportedly also saw two huge figures with Pope Leo.
Those two figures were said to be St Peter and St. Paul, and they threatened Attila, and so he got frightened and retreated.
But what is important for us to know is that Pope Leo prepared himself with prayer, and it was the hand of God that drove Attila away.
This Sunday is in that period of time between the Ascension and Pentecost Sunday.
Jesus told His disciples and the Church before He ascended, to pray and to wait to be clothed with the power from on high.
That power from on high is none other than the gift of the Holy spirit.
The Holy Spirit is our Advocate, our Protector, who will help us and lead us and guide us as we journey on in faith.
The Holy Spirit will teach us all that we need to know, and He will prompt us as to what to prepare and what to do.
So, we need to pray so as to be able to listen to the Holy Spirit and to be aware of His promptings.
It is the Holy Spirit who will unite us to God and to one another in love and in peace.