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 is for those who are preparing for ordination into the priesthood, that God may protect their hearts and lead them with wisdom.
I want to be seen as good. As I look at social norms, people are more concerned with what you can do for them versus who you are.
As I read through today's reading, I was struck with how Jesus' love and sacrifice for us is not one of what we can do for Him. It is how He loves The Father, and in turn, it is His way of loving us.
It can be hard to comprehend when you've lived a lot of your life putting your worth in what you can do for others. I feel that way so many times, and it draws me away from the one thing I should be doing: worshiping Him. It can also make you think of God in a utilitarian sense where He exists for you to use.
God wants more than what you can do for you; He wants you.
Rejoice, brothers and sisters, and live in the joy and freedom that can only come through Jesus' sacrifice. It's a sacrifice that opened the heavens so that we may be with Him eternally. Take care and God Bless.
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