Gospel Reading for June 05, 2025 – John 17: 20-26
PART AND PARCEL
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.”
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Jesus is praying not only for his followers that time but also for us who will be his followers more than 2,000 years later. Truly, salvation does not stop with the Jews. Salvation is for all of us who follow Jesus throughout our lives.
This prayer of Jesus to the Father is so very intimate. Yet, he includes us in it. There are those of us who would not want to include anyone in an intimate relationship. No outsiders are allowed. But look at Jesus, he made us PART AND PARCEL of his relationship with the Father. Just thinking about it will give us a truly wonderful feeling! Imagine, we BELONG TO GOD! Who can beat that!
Thank you Jesus, for all you have done for us even if we do not deserve it!
