Today’s concluding installment of Jesus’ beautiful prayer focuses on the unity which He so desires of His disciples, as well as of “those who will believe in [him] through their word.” Unfortunately, such a unity continues to be a sore point in the life of the Church, with so many conflicts and divisions. But at the same time, it continues to be an ideal to aspire for, with the grace of God. In our present-day efforts for ecumenism, we should never forget that, in the very first place, it was Jesus Christ Himself who has so desired and willed “that all may be one.”
Sad as it may be, conflicts and disunity within the Church or among Christians are nothing really new. Not to mention the persecutions and hardships which Christians very often have to undergo for their faith. Paul himself knew that very well and was no stranger to conflict, as evidenced in today’s first reading. We have a curious incident wherein as He testified before the Sanhedrin (the 70-member Jewish senate), He in turn sparked a dispute among the members by His fearless declaration of the resurrection of the dead. There was a loud uproar, the dispute grew worse, and Paul was nearly torn to pieces. The very commander who arrested Paul turned out to be his savior and defender. But that night, Paul received a vision from the Lord, who told him, “Keep up your courage! Just as you have given testimony to me here in Jerusalem, so must you do in Rome.”
The prayer of Jesus concludes with a mention of His revelation to His disciples: “To them I have revealed your name, and I will continue to reveal it so that your love for me may live in them, and I may live in them.”
Such a revelation, together with the consecration from yesterday’s passage, is indeed evidence of God’s extraordinary love — the love which overpowers conflicts, persecution, and hardships. May the love of God sustain and strengthen us, most especially in our efforts to overcome division and to remain ever united: God and us, and we among ourselves.Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB
Reflection Question:
Am I a person of unity or division?
Lord, help me to be always aware of how my actions and words foster unity or division in my own world.
St. Columba, pray for us.
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