John 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 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."
Dawg's Thought:
Today's prayer intention - for those in your family whom you desire to be in unity with The Church.
I went out into the desert last week to pray and find some direction for a ministry that I sit on the board on. As I prayed, one of the thoughts that came to me was the idea of "being a gift," which is what Christ calls us today: "they are Your gift to Me."
Christ took His gift and brought it to the place of His glory: the cross.
A while back, in the midst of serving, I wondered if the sacrifices that I made were worth anything. I feel into a deep depression in the middle of mass, wondering if any of the gifts I offer were in vain. In the quite of my heart, I heard Our Lord respond to me, "I see and accept your gift."
As a gift, I am an act of love given from the The Father to Christ. As a gift, you are an act of love, for you were given to Christ from The Father. Even before God knit you in your mother's womb, The Father knew you and desired that you may be loved by The Son.
So, loving gift from The Father, remember your dignity. If ever you feel like you don't matter, as I often feel, ask Christ to embrace His gift and know that you are an act of love from The Father to Jesus. Take care and God Bless.
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