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 who are persecuted for their faith.
It's amazing how your relationship with your parents change when you grow up. I never understood a lot of things that my parents did, but now I do. I never knew as a child that I could relate to them the way I do now. I feel I know them better; I feel like I am known by them better as well.
In knowing my parents, it is much easier to understand their ways. I feel much more invested in my relationship with them beyond them as "providers" or "caretakers" of me. I know them, and I am grateful for them.
Through Jesus, we know The Father. We know that He desires to be known. From what I know of God, His desire for us to know Him is for our ultimate good. I also know that His desire to be known is an act of mercy.
I remember when I was a child, my mom caught a bird with her bare hands and then came to find me. In her way, it was a means for her to be known. It was the only time I ever seen her do it, but it was a special enough memory for me to carry with me all this time. Unfortunately, when I was a child, I pretended like it was not a big deal.
Throughout your day, I wonder how many times we take The Father's acts of "being known" for granted, like I did when my mother caught the bird. How often do we take for granted to everyday blessings? How often do we take for granted His presence in Sacred Scripture and the Sacraments? How often do we refuse to know God, and thus refuse what is an act of mercy and goodness on the part of the Creator of stars and the oceans?
May the love with which The Father loves Jesus be in you and may Our Lord Jesus be in you.
Take care and God Bless.
|
