By Mary Beth Harney
Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and Stephen said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:55-56
“I, Jesus, sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the root and offspring of David, the bright morning star.” The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let the hearer say, “Come.” Let the one who thirsts come forward, and the one who wants it receive the gift of life-giving water. Revelation 22:16-17
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: “Holy Father, I pray not only for them, 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. John 17: 1, 20-24.
Piety
THE LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.Matt 6:9-13
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.Matt 6:9-13
Study
The setting for today’s Gospel is the Last Supper. Imagine the scene. All eyes are on Jesus, and the apostles are hanging on his every word. Their emotions are on edge. After all, Jesus has washed their feet and shared a meal with them. The apostles learn that he will be departing them soon, but will send the Advocate to accompany them.
Then, Jesus prays. In today’s Gospel, we overhear that portion of his High Priestly prayer in which Jesus prays for – us! Jesus asks his Father (and ours) that we may become one just as he and the Father are one. Note that his prayer is inclusive. Jesus acknowledges that he is in the Father and the Father is in him. Not wanting to leave anyone out, Jesus prays that we also may be in the Father and in him. That is how much Jesus loves us.
This “oneness” in God that Jesus desires for us is a gift of love. Oneness in God means loving as Jesus loved. He taught us to love God, to love our neighbor, to love ourselves, and to love our enemies. To love as Jesus loved is a tall order. Being one in God, however, gives us the faith and hope (and courage) to live in charity with each other.
Amen!
Action
This week, let’s take note of the opportunities we have to be one in God – to love as Jesus loved. Pray the Our Father slowly and reflect on the words Jesus taught us.
Today is Mother’s Day. Let us give thanks to our mothers, living and deceased, who have modeled their love for us after that of Mary, who is Mother to us all. The Women’s 147th Cursillo will be from May 19-22 at Missionhurst. Is there a woman in your life with whom you would like to share the Cursillo experience? Further information and applications are found at http://www.arlingtoncursillo.org/
De Colores!
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