From the responsorial psalm: “Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.” O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 17:20-26)
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so 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.”
Jesus continues his prayer for the disciples, what has been called the “high priestly prayer.” The night before his crucifixion, he intercedes for the disciples, addressing God directly, as he prepares to leave his earthly ministry and return to the Father. The prayer is a petition to the Father for the disciples to be in union with the Father just as Jesus is in union with him. Jesus desires beyond what the mind can comprehend that we may go where he is going. The eternal gift that the Father made of his Son, Jesus wishes for the disciples and all who believe in him: “Father, 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.” In this prayer, the unity that Jesus wishes for us is made possible as sharers in his divinity through the Eucharistic gift of his body and blood, soul and divinity.
God, help me understand through the events of the day and my relationship with others what it means to see Jesus’ wish fulfilled “that they may be brought to perfection as one.” Jesus prays, “Father, they are your gift to me.” As one among others who is a gift to Jesus, give me wisdom and understanding to fully recognize what this means. Open my heart and mind to receive whatever I need most for eternal life to fulfill Jesus’ wish so that where he is I may also be. Thank you, Lord, for the gift of your mercy! Show me the path to life.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.