The Collect for the Fifth Sunday of Easter is:
“Almighty ever-living God, constantly accomplish the Paschal Mystery within us, that those you were pleased to make new in Holy Baptism may, under your protective care, bear much fruit and come to the joys of life eternal. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.”
Reflection
Notice that this is not a description but a request; We are asking God to continue to accomplish the Paschal Mystery within us. Although Christ died and rose once for all we each must go through the process of having that mystery take root us. It is the ongoing process of salvation, sanctification, and glorification. Baptism accomplished the Paschal Mystery in us, but we need God’s protection for that mystery to grow and bear fruit. So, we ask for exactly that. Ultimately, the fruit we desire most is eternal Joy with God in heaven.
So, for your daily contribution to the Church’s collection of prayer,
Evaluate how fruitful you are in your faith. Do you strive to live your baptism? Is the Paschal Mystery an ongoing reality for you? Pray to make it an ongoing reality for you and for the grace to bear fruit abundantly. Then spiritually unite that prayer to all the Masses throughout the world today. That way, when the priest says “Let us pray,” you can be a part of that “us” even if you don’t get to attend Mass.
{It is Sunday, so I hope you can make it!}