20 May
Thu
7th Week of Easter
St Bernardine of Siena, priest
Acts 22:20; 23:6-11
Ps. 15:1-2,5,7-8,9-10,11
Jn. 17:20-26
(Ps Wk III)
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In yesterday's reflection, we saw Jesus praying for the restoration of the unity of the whole human race, a unity which was destroyed at the Tower of Babel by human fearfulness leading to disobedience.

Chapter 17 is the prayer with which Jesus concludes the Last Supper. Jesus intercedes for all humanity and in a special way for his own followers, those who believe in his word. Today's reading from this prayer touches more closely on the need for Christian unity. Jesus desires this unity for a wider purpose: "that the world may believe that you sent me."

In St. John's Gospel, "The one who sent me" is almost a definition of God the Father. To believe that the Father sent Jesus is to believe in God. Christian unity is not just a matter of structures or organization. Christian unity is essentially a matter of evangelical witness. If the Gospel divides one from another, it will not be attractive to those who do not yet believe. Thus we must continually learn from Jesus to be concerned for the unity of the whole human race, children of the one Father in heaven.



Lord Jesus, as You pray for us in the presence of the Father, may the Holy Spirit teach us to understand the truth of Your teaching.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That the shameful and monstrous trafficking in human beings, which sadly involves millions of women and children, may stop.
Elaboration

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