Scripture
John 17: 1-11
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.”
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.
Ignatian Reflection
Eternity in God’s Presence
It’s so easy for us to get caught up in the scramble of daily life and lose focus on the big picture objectives of our earthly pilgrimage. The Gospel passage from John today presents us with a distinct invitation to zoom out and refocus. The Lord does not mince words when he says to us, “Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.”
The ultimate reality of human existence is that we were made for relationship with God. Everything that we are and have comes from him. Every deep desire for love and intimacy can only ever find its true and lasting fulfillment in relationship with God. Our ultimate purpose is to spend eternity living ever more deeply into the wonder, awe, and bliss of God’s infinitely loving presence. Despite this, how often do we really stop to consider eternity? And to what extent do we really allow our consideration of the eternal to shape our words and deeds in daily life?
—Ben Jansen, SJ, is a Midwest Jesuit scholastic teaching English and anthropology at Elisabeth University of Music in Hiroshima, Japan.
Ignatian Prayer
May 19, 2026
Prayer
Lord God of all, you have crafted us in your image for relationship with you. There is a God-shaped hole in the human heart, and our hearts are ever restless until they finally rest in you. Please grant us the clarity to know that you are the source of every possible goodness, and that you alone can satisfy the deep desires of the soul. Give us the courage to ardently seek for you alone above all other things. Help us to live holy lives in pursuit of your love and your grace. In Christ’s Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
—Ben Jansen, SJ
The Daily Examen is a prayer technique developed by St. Ignatius to help us reflect on the events of the day to discern God's presence and direction. When Ignatius founded the Society of Jesus, he required the Jesuits to practice the Examen twice daily—at noon and at the end of the day. It's a habit that Jesuits, and many other Christians, practice to this day.
The Examen structure presented below is adapted from a technique described by Ignatius Loyola in his Spiritual Exercises. Click here for more information from our partners in ministry at Loyola Press.
Daily Examen
1. Become aware of God's presence
God, I believe that at this moment I am in your presence and you are loving me.
2. Review the day with gratitude
God, you know my needs better than I know them. Give me your light and your help to see how you have been with me, both yesterday and today.
3. Pay attention to your emotions
God, help me to be grateful for the moments when people have affirmed me and challenged me. Help me to see how I have responded, and whether I have been kind to others and open to growth.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it
God, forgive me for when I have not done my best or have failed to treat others well. Encourage me, guide me, and continue to bless me.
5. Look toward tomorrow
As I look to the remainder of this day, make me aware that you are with me. Show me how to be the person you want me to be.
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