So that your love for me may live in them

Acts 22:30.23:6-11, Jn 17:20-26. In today's first reading, Paul is set on the trial in Jerusalem. Being aware of the differences between Pharisees and Sadducees, Paul emphasises that being a Pharisee means that he believes in life after death. He believes especially in the life of Jesus who is risen after His death. This leads to dispute between those who believe in life after death and those who do not believe in life after death. The dispute almost ended in physical harm to Paul and some of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. It can be frustrating that people argue over issues which are not the key aspects of their beliefs and miss the major point of being in relationship with the one whom they claim to worship-God.

To avoid such division in Christendom in today's Gospel, Jesus prayed over His disciples, asking His heavenly Father to guide them, strengthen them and to keep them in the perfection of unity and truth, just as He and His Father are one, with the Holy Spirit. Then, how often do we, who are called “Christians,” miss the point of the Priestly Prayer of Christ to argue over irrelevant issues. Jesus speaks of His being one with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus also emphasises love as the driving force of the message of God which He has been sent to announce. Today, we are invited into the ultimate relationship with God, who is Love as Jesus urges us towards a shared vision of goodness, kindness, love, peace and justice. Basically, this unity is to be modelled upon that of the Holy Trinity. Jesus in-turn will share with us the glory given to Him by the Father before the world began, “so that your love for me may live in them, and I may live in them.” Jesus puts before us a vision that should lead us to unite around His table. It is a desire that He personally holds dear, “with I in them, and you Father in me, may their unity be complete.” If we love Him, we must make His vision a reality.

May the Spirit of the Lord make us one with Christ, may He never let us be separated from His love by distress, persecution or danger and teach us to glorify God and accept one another! Amen!! Good morning and have a terrific day!!!