Thursday of 7th Week of Easter
Acts 22: 30, 23: 6-11; John 17: 20-26
Dc. Larry Brockman
The Apostles were truly a chosen people. For, as we have just heard Jesus say in the Gospel, “They are your gift to me”; and “I have given them the glory you gave me”. Wow! How special is that.Â
But you know, it occurs to me that the words in the Gospel are not just directed to the Apostles. That’s a very narrow way of taking this Gospel. Indeed, let’s ponder for a moment what this Gospel means if all of us, yes you and I, are the gift of which Jesus speaks. After all, Jesus says he is praying not only for these, meaning the Apostles, but also, and I quote,   for “those who will believe in me through their word”. That is us- all of us here today who are believers. And so, all of us can take great comfort in the prayer that Jesus says for his people- first, that we may all be one. Yes, all of us are one, and just as you would want to be included in that number so are all those other brothers who are believers who are different from us. They are all part of the one. Second, that he has given us the glory he has- everlasting life. We may not know what it is like, but we can take great joy knowing that it is certain for those who believe. Third, that Jesus wants us to be where he is. This is also a great comfort, knowing that Jesus wants us in Heaven with him. And lastly, and certainly not the least- that, and I quote, “the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them”. And considering that God is Love. That is quite something.Â