Seventh Sunday of Easter

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying:  "Holy Father, 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, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them."  John 17: 20 – 26

Today’s gospel truly portrays Jesus abundant love for us.  As He was preparing for His death he recognized each one of us as a gift given by God and He prayed that we would always be united with Him.  In revealing God’s abundant love for us Jesus invites us into a deep relationship with God.  This relationship comes with responsibility too.  We are called to mirror that love for one another.  In accepting this responsibility we also accept the call to be people who “act with justice, love tenderly and walk humbly with our God.”  (Micah 6:9)  By living this way we respond to Jesus’ call to love and be people of love.  Jesus has always promised to always be with us until the end of time. May we always commit ourselves to live each day the way that Jesus has called us to.

Pat Schifini, OSU