You have given him power over all humanity, so that he may give eternal life to all those
you entrusted to him. For this is eternal life: to know you, the only true God, and the One
you sent, Jesus Christ. I have glorified you on earth and finished the work that you gave
me to do. Now, Father, give me, in your presence, the same glory I had with you
before the world began.
I have made your name known to those you gave me from the world. They were yours,
and you gave them to me, and they kept your word. And now they know that whatever
you entrusted to me, is indeed from you. I have given them the teaching I received from
you, and they accepted them, and know in truth that I came from you; and they believe
that you sent me. I pray for them. I do not pray for the world, but for those who belong
to you, and whom you have given to me. Indeed all I have is yours, and all you have is
mine; and now they are my glory. I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world,
and I come to you. Holy Father, keep those you have given me in your name, so that
they may be one, as we also are.
Reflect
For the next three days, the Gospel will give the last part of Jesus’ last Supper
Discourse, his last teaching to those who had followed him throughout his public
ministry. It seems most fitting that the entire final section of this discourse is a prayer
for his followers. Though Jesus prayed it before the Twelve on his last night with them,
he prays it for us as well.
In the beginning of the prayer, which we read today, Jesus asks the Father to protect
his disciples, making clear what is required for those who would follow him. As disciples,
we need to know Jesus and, through him, the Father, keeping to his teaching.
Knowing someone is not a one-time effort. You do not have one conversation with a
spouse or friend and decide that you know all that there is to know about them. Rather,
coming to know someone is a lifelong effort – spending time together, talking and
listening, growing in loving concern. As this Easter season draws to its close, let us
stay close to the God who comes to save us, spending our time in prayer and reflection.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2023
