One in Him: The Resurrection’s Call to Unity
“For the Souls in Purgatory – Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord”
John 17:20-26
“I pray not only for them, 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. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I 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. 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. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”
Grace Prayed For
The grace to actively pursue and embody the unity that Christ prayed for, recognizing it as a powerful witness to the world, and to live in such a way that the Father’s love, shared by Jesus, abides in us, empowering our mission.
Reflection
Imagine Jesus, on the precipice of His greatest act of love and resurrection, extending His gaze beyond the small circle of disciples before Him. His prayer stretches across time, reaching out to us, those who would come to believe through their word. This isn’t just a historical artifact; it’s a living prayer for you. His deepest desire? That we all might be one, a unity so profound it mirrors the very oneness of the Father and Son. This unity isn’t just for our comfort; it’s a powerful witness to the world, a beacon that declares the Father truly sent Him.
Think of the “glory” Jesus gives us – not worldly acclaim, but a share in His divine life, His very presence, His love. This glory enables our unity, perfecting us in Him. When we live as one, loving each other as He loves us, the world sees Him. And then, a breathtaking intimacy: Jesus desires us to be where He is, to see His glory, the glory He possessed before time began, born of the Father’s eternal love. He doesn’t just want us to know about His glory; He wants us to be in its presence. This is the ultimate drawing near, the invitation into the very heart of the Trinity. And finally, He commits to making known the Father’s name, His very essence, so that the boundless love with which the Father loved Him might reside in us, and He in us. This resurrected life, this divine love within, empowers us to go forth, not in our own strength, but as vessels of His unity and love, fulfilling the Great Commission with His glory shining through us.
Growing in Intimacy/Union with Jesus
This passage reveals Jesus’ profound care and foresight for all who would believe in Him. His prayer directly includes us, making us feel personally known and loved by Him. The desire for us to be where He is and to see His glory, along with the promise of the Father’s love residing in us through Him, draws us into a deeper, more personal relationship with Jesus, where we are not just followers, but intimately connected to His divine life and mission.
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Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post