Word to the Wise
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 - 7th Week of Easter - Tues
[Acts 20:17-27 and John 17:1-11a,]"Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you, just as you gave him authority over all people, so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him. Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do. Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began." [John]
MAY 26 ST. PHILIP NERI, c.o.
The Farewell Discourse shifts gears at the beginning of Chapter 17. The focus is not on preparing the disciples, but now on Jesus praying to his Father and summing up the whole meaning of his mission on earth. From time to time, summary statements have appeared throughout the gospel, such as "God so loved the world,...." [John 3:16} and "I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly...." [John 10:10]. The last line in the quote above takes us back to the Prologue to the gospel, "In the beginning....." Jesus also speaks of his "hour" which takes us back to the marriage feast at Cana when he says to his mother, "Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come." [John 2:4]. All these things come together in what scripture scholars call the "High Priestly Prayer" of Jesus. This prayer will provide the gospel scripture for the next few days.
At the root of the Gospel According to John is the relationship of Jesus to his Father which he has been sent to reveal and to offer participation in that relationship of eternal life to those who believe in him. In the midst of all our challenges and sorrows, especially the current pandemic, we may not think we can have "heaven on earth," but Jesus offers us that in our faith. His loving care will be shown in this High Priestly Prayer as we move through the week. AMEN