16 May, 2024 | Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Acts 22:30; 23:6-11
Gospel 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.
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,
that the love with which you loved me
may be in them and I in them."
Reflections:
Jesus prayed and desired that his followers be one as he and the father are one. So that the world believes that Jesus is sent into this world by his father. This unity should be made visible enough to challenge the world to believe in Jesus. It is to be a real fellowship.
However, in order to maintain unity among people of different temperaments and various cultures much love and understanding is required. Iit is saddening today to see in the world so many different churches and denominations which arose out of divisive mentality of human beings and lack of humility. Therefore, today all of us need to pray and work for unity among all the Christians which Christ himself prayed and desired for.
Activity:
Before you retire for the night, say a meaningful prayer for unity of Christians and openness to the work of the Holy Spirit.
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