A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John (Lk 17: 20 – 26)
+ Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying:
“I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may 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 give 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
There have been a couple documentaries regarding the Emperor Penguin. These documentaries show how the Emperor Penguin survives the freezing storms that sweep over the Antarctic at speeds of up to 100 mph and as cold as -80 F. To survive, the tens-of-thousands of penguins huddle up and use their bodies to insulate those at the center from the extreme weather. However, the penguins keep moving, so that those outside, move inside and, those inside, move outside. Seen from above, this huge group of penguins is nothing but a huge, single living entity. The Emperor Penguins, along with many other living beings, are able to survive because they work as a single unity.
This unity that has helped the Emperor Penguins thrive in extreme conditions for millions of years can only be achieved with the same love that Jesus is talking about in this Gospel passage. This is not the love that describes our preference for a donut, or for a TV show; it is neither the natural bond that ties family and relatives. Rather, this is the type of love that is unconditional and willing to sacrifice even one’s life for the good of the others. It is the same kind of love with which Jesus loved us then +, and continues to love us now! The same type of love with which we are expected to love everyone!
This sacrificial and unconditional love is better captured by the Greek word “agape”. As Christians, we are called to “agape” everyone. Only when we love unconditionally and in the true spirit of giving it all in the service of others and assisting them get closer to God, then we are one, as Jesus and the Father are one; That Jesus may be in us and the Father in Jesus, that we may be brought to perfection as one!
Just think of it: if the Emperor Penguin and many other living beings are able to achieve amazing feats because they work as a single unit, imagine how many other amazing things we, humans, could achieve if we also cooperate in union with each other, with Jesus and with God!
Action of the Day
When was the last time you felt united with Jesus? With the Heavenly Father? With the entire human race? What was the circumstance that helped you feel that way? How often do you feel such unity? Is there a way you could guide others in your life to experience such unity, and desire it for themselves? But, more importantly, when was the last time you felt “agape” for others?
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