Jesus prayed for his disciples, and then he said. "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."
Questions for engaging the text:
- What do I observe? What am I seeing? Does this passage raise questions for me?
- Is anything attracting me, drawing my attention, or repulsing me?
- What response is emerging within me? What is my response to what is attracting me?***
- In what ways might I specifically act on my insights in the world?
*** First 3 questions taken from The ART of Engaging Holy Scripture curriculum (see resources)
I really want to hear from you. Thank you for clicking on "Comments" below and adding your responses. Debra
Here is my reflection on John 17:20-26. I look forward to reading yours! Debra
ReplyDeleteI observe Jesus praying. He is not only praying for his disciples but also for whoever in the future will believe the words of his disciples. And so I notice that even though these words are ancient I am immediately implicated because I believe.
I am attracted to Jesus’ inclusion of the disciples, then and now, in his relationship with God the Father. “The glory that you (God) 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…” In some mysterious way when I, or anyone, choose to believe we participate in the relationship of Jesus and God the Father. Participating in Divine relationship we “may become completely one.” It excites me to imagine being part of the Holy Trinity, actually being one in the unity that is diversity.
Holy God, Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for including me and all who believe in the unity of Your divine life. Even writing that sentence feels too glorious for me. I know that I constantly forget, that my belief is fickle as a leaf drifting on spring winds. Still, Jesus proclaimed that You loved him “before the foundation of the world.” And since we are all one You must love me the same. Please give me the grace to love as Jesus loved. Let me be an instrument of Your love, a revelation of Your love in the world today. Amen