The Holy Gospel according to John (17:20-26).
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said: “Holy Father, I pray not only for these,
but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.
And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me.
Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me,
that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Reflection: Today is the Memorial for St. Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr and the Gospel is from the readings for his Memorial. St. Irenaeus was born in Asia Minor in the 2nd century. He was a disciple fo St. Polycarp, who was a disciple of St. John the Evangelist. Thus St. Irenaeus was in the direct line of the disciples. His most important contribution was his assertion that creation is not sinful by nature, but rather distorted by sin. As God created us, so God redeemed us. Our fallen human nature could only be saved by Christ. St. Irenaeus said, “The glory of God is man fully alive.”
This Gospel is part of what his often called the High Priestly Prayer, where Jesus prays for his disciples to believe in him and for unity among his followers. Today, this includes us. This Gospel challenges us every day. We live in a society marked by conflict and division. As Catholic Christians, we are all called to be one in heart and mind. This unity does not mean that we all march around like robots, doing and saying the same thing. This unity means that each person, as a unique child of God, use their unique gifts to contribute to society and build up the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth. How do we do this? St. Paul tells us in today’s first reading, “Pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord with purity of heart.”
Jesus wants us to be one with him as he is one with God the Father.
Action for the Day: What Jesus asks for us is what he sought for himself, unity with God. We are also invited into this relationship. We need to ask ourselves, how are we promoting unity within our families, communities and parishes? Are we living Christian lives. Pray for the grace to help us identify those things that keep us from being in relationship with God and with each other. Those “things” are our sins. Pray and then ask God for mercy and forgiveness for our sins through the sacrament of reconciliation.
Audio Reflection:
