Gospel: John 17:20-26
I pray not only for these. but also for those who through their word will believe in me. May they all be one, as you Father are in me and I am in you. May they be one in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory you have given me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. Thus they shall reach perfection in unity; and the world shall know that you have sent me, and that I have loved them, just as you loved me.Father, since you have given them to me, I want them to be with me where I am, and see the glory you gave me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world.Righteous Father, the world has not known you, but I have known you, and these have known that you have sent me. As I revealed your name to them, so will I continue to reveal it, so that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I also may be in them.”
Reflections
“May they be one in us.”Jesus ends his priestly prayer praying also for other believers. He prays not only for his apostles but also other believers who do not belong to his inner circle. He prays for the unity of all among themselves and their unity with God. When Christians are united with God in love and prayer, the world will believe that Jesus is truly sent by God.When the Christians attain unity among themselves and with God, they will attain the highest form of unity, the perfection in unity. Again, the effect is that the world will come to believe that Jesus is sent by God. Since Jesus loves them so much, because they are responding to his teachings, they are also entitled to see his glory in heaven.Unity for us today is expressed not in uniformity, but in recognition that others are different from us. Though others may have another culture, different tastes and priorities, we can still be united as humans and disciples under one God.The liturgy helps us to unite our hearts and minds to God and to one another. Praying together can unite us also in times of grief and sorrow.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2019
