Live and love as one with Almighty God... 
Reflections on the readings for the Seventh Sunday of Easter (June 2, 2019): ACTS 7:55-60; PS 97:1-2,6-7,9; REV 22:12-14,16-17,20; JN 17:20-26
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days
The beautiful prayer that our Lord offers His Father is about their loving and unending unity.
More than that, it is about us as well – and how we are meant to be part of their eternal embrace. “Father, they are Your gift to Me. I wish that where I am they may also be with Me, that they may see My glory that You gave Me, because You loved Me before the foundation of the world” (John 17:24). The Father and Son love each other always. And we are invited to share in that love. Moreover, Jesus reminds His listeners that they can only know His Father through Him.
Immediately after this prayer in the Gospel according to John, Jesus goes to the garden where He will pray and, after being betrayed by Judas, arrested. Before He began His Passion, Christ wanted His friends to know how much they were loved and how important they were to God and His plan for the redemption of the world. He entrusted them, and us, with the Good News. People today rely on those of us who have faith in Jesus our Savior to reveal His goodness and love wherever we go. Ultimately, we will be able to share in His everlasting glory. What a joy to know that we helped others to draw closer to Him through our prayers, words and deeds.
Suggested missionary action: This week we can resolve to say the “Our Father” with special attention. It is a prayer that Jesus particularly wanted His followers to offer. We can slowly and thoughtfully focus on the words we have said so often, and open our minds to their wonderful meaning.
