Exaudi

Exaudi -Listen 

The sixth Sunday after Easter has the name Exaudi - Listen , based on Psalm 27 : 7. " Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud. Be gracious to me." This Sunday stands between Ascension Day and Pentecost that is between Promise and Fulfilment. In the Gospel reading of this Sunday John 15:26-16:4  we read that Jesus promised the Counselor, the Holy Spirit. The response of the men and women believers was ' united prayer ' (Acts 1:14). The promise of Christ and the prayer of the believers was fulfilled in Pentecost. 

The Sunday Exaudi reminds us that the Lord wants us to pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit in the church and in our own hearts. Along with the promise of the Counselor Jesus has also given  the commission to be the witnesses for Him (John 15:27; Acts 1:8). Witnessing Christians will face troubles and even persecution in the world which opposes Christ (John 16: 2,3). Only with the strength of the Holy Spirit we can be faithful to the commission entrusted to us.  Difficulties of various kinds should not surprise us. 

Martin Luther writes, 

" The church is the heir of the cross". But the Lord will not forsake us. Let us be united in

 prayer : Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud be gracious to me  and answer my prayer."

E.M.Siebert Johnson