John 17:20-26
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying:
“I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. “Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
A Gift to Jesus
Today’s Gospel passage makes my head spin. There are so many repeated or similar phrases, such as “in me… in you,” “given me… given them,” “one… know… does not know…belief…love.” When I try to follow the thread of Jesus’ prayer, I feel as though I’m spinning while looking at the sky, with my arms wide open. I become dizzy and confused and want to fall to the ground.
But in another translation of this passage, there is a single phrase in the middle of the prayer that brings me back to center. It says, “Father, they are your gift to me” (John 17:24 NAB). I pause and find myself becoming more steady as I read these words. It’s as though Jesus has reached out his hand to me and has put his arm around me and says, “All of this is important, but remember this most of all: YOU are a gift to me. Be steady in my love.”
And then, it becomes easy for me to remember how I will find my way towards understanding. “Ohhhh,” I think, “I need to talk to Jesus about this prayer. I need to talk to Jesus about my state of oneness/connection/disconnection with him, with the Trinity, and with others. I need to talk to Jesus about my belovedness, my knowledge, my belief (and unbelief!) as one friend talks to another, because he loves me.”
Do you turn to Jesus when you feel confused or lack understanding? Will you talk to him today? As one friend talks with another?
—Laura Gilmartin Hancock facilitates Urban Plunge immersion retreats through Casa Romero: A Jesuit Renewal Center, serves on the leadership team of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps of Milwaukee, and maintains a private spiritual care practice for monthly spiritual direction as well as the accompaniment of people through The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. She completed her formation to serve in this capacity through the Seminars in Ignatian Formation with the Midwest Province of Jesuits.
Prayer
Draw Me Into Your Friendship
Lord Jesus, from the start
you invite ordinary people to come to you.
When they come, you welcome them
and call them to walk with you,
to labor and rejoice with you.
You are the most beautiful among all human beings,
and I hardly believe you want me for your friend.
Lord, by the power of your love
draw me ever more deeply
into your friendship
and lead me along the way you took:
the way that leads to truth and life.
—Adapted by Laura Gilmartin Hancock from a prayer of Joseph Tetlow, SJ
Pray with the Pope
The Holy Father’s Monthly Prayer Intentions Brought to you by Apostleship of Prayer the first Friday of each month.