The Prayer of Jesus

Today's Reflections

 

The Prayer of Jesus 

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Jn 17:20-26

[Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said,] ²⁰“I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, ²¹so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. ²²And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, ²³I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. ²⁴Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. ²⁵Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. ²⁶I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”

Reflection:
 

That they may all be one. Jesus prays for unity among his followers. He desires communion of sharing and of being together. And he gives a lasting example in his union with the Father. Jesus acts in accordance with the Father’s will. He submits himself to the guidance and care of the Father. And this is what he wills his disciples to do.

We are to be in communion with God. Our life must be connected, attuned, and always related to the will of the Father.

 And we are to be in communion with one another. We are a people called together by the Lord to be community and imbued with the spirit of oneness and sharing. We share in one another’s burdens, successes, defeats, and triumphs. “No man is an island,” we say, “no man stands alone.” We are one family under the fatherhood of God, and we have only one true home—heaven.

Let us not separate ourselves from others because we have different views and opinions or because we think we are superior or inferior to them. Let us not hide from others for fear of being used. We are one for God. We are one for all.

What can you do to heal the wounds of division?