Forgive me, Jesus but my initial reaction upon reading today's gospel was to sing George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" because your words are so sweet indeed, so comforting!
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying: “I pray notn 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 may also be in us, that the world may believe that you sent 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.
John 17:20, 24
Who are we, who am I to be considered as a gift to you, my Lord and my God? Are we not the ones supposed to say and claim that you are, dear Jesus, the Father's gift to us and not the other way around?
But, great thanks, sweet Lord Jesus in taking us as the Father's gifts to you; deepen in us your gift of faith in you so we may work hard for the unity you prayed for us, that we may truly enter into a communion with the Father and one another in you and through you.
Do not allow us, dear Jesus to be divided like the Pharisees and Sadducees who both claimed to be the followers of God but could not agree on anything about him except in being your enemies.
Let us be the visible signs of your loving service and presence in this world plagued with so much divisions and violence as many among us continue to refuse in seeing each one's giftedness in God our Father through you, dear Jesus. Amen.
