June 5th - Reflection

Seventh Sunday of Easter
John 17:1-11 (NRSV)
Christ's prayer for his disciples
After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.

"I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.

Reflection
Eternal life is knowing God. Knowing God because God comes close and reveals himself in Jesus. Knowing God because Jesus sends his Spirit to us and comes close and within, and around, and all over. God reveals himself to us as the Father that loved us before we were born. God loves us as the brother and creator through Jesus throughout all time. God loves us as the Spirit that envelopes us with joy and rich gifts that we may act out the call God has for our life.

Eternal life is knowing God and glorifying God here in this life in whatever place God chooses to set us with whatever people God chooses to give to us. Eternal life is knowing God and is here and now. Glorify God and live eternal life through Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Jesus, as you prayed for your disciples teach me to pray for those you give to me. To pray of your glory and your kingdom and your love...forever. --- Amen