Gospel of John, chapter 17: 10-11

Throughout life we each take leave of one another, in one way or another. We are called upon to graduate emotionally, spiritually and geographically. Anyone who has said good-bye to a loved one and wished Godspeed will understand today’s scripture. In the gospel (John 17/1-11), Jesus is saying good-bye to His friends. We are exposed to one of the most intimate of human actions in today’s gospel reading, an individual’s private prayer. In this case, the prayer is that of the Son of God and it is His farewell prayer for His friends and followers.

Jesus’ followers had to graduate spiritually; they had to be prepared to pass on the torch of faith after Jesus departed this life. These bewildered followers of Jesus must have wondered how they could ever be equal to the task, but, in His prayer, Jesus merely handed over His ministry to them and confidently placed them in the hands of God: “For these I pray–for they are really yours. It is in them that I have been glorified. I am in the world no more, but these are in the world as I come to you.”

God’s glory, as we know, shone brightly in the ministry of those ancient fishermen, reformed tax collectors, prostitutes and tentmakers. It still remains to be seen how successful many of today’s computer operators, bankers, farm workers, homemakers, politicians, developers, flight attendants, and so on, will be in manifesting God’s glory.

But, we have a good start. We have been prayed for by the very Son of God. We have been entrusted with the ministry of manifesting God’s glory by continuing the work of His Son in our generation.

Don’t hold back! The Lord is continuing on you, and you have a great helper.

Fr. Hugh Duffy

* NEW *: Tomorrow’s blog by Fr. Mike Cassell will deal with the Christmas vision for all people of good will.