Continue the work of Jesus – Reflection on John 17:1-11A
Jesus offers a prayer of gratitude to the Father for the disciples because He knows the Father influenced the disciples to follow Him. Jesus, as One in the Trinity, knows that since the disciples are full of love, they participate as one body of Christ. When we follow Jesus, His prayer on our behalf continues to the Father joining us as one with the original disciples and divinity. With Christ’s loving blessing, we gain the Father’s protection and the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we remain in the world. Knowing that we are in the presence of Glory strengthens our own discipleship to continue the work of Jesus for the benefit of others.
Jesus Goes Up Alone onto a Mountain to Pray by James Tissot painting at full resolution.
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website
Additional Eastertide Reflections
John 17:1-11A – Scripture*
Jesus Prays for His Disciples
17 After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. 5 So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.
6 “I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; 8 for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. 11 And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on John 17:1-11A Reflection – Continue the Work of Jesus.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible John 17 passage.
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