Welcome to Day 39 of our reflections on the gospel of John.  Thanks so much for joining us!  Find us on our website at www.markandkatiemartinez.com.

A Reflection on John 17:20-26

“That they may be one even as we are one…” (v 22)

On His last night on earth, Jesus turns His prayer now to us. We are those who, “believe in (Him) through (the apostle’s) word” (v 20). And what does He desperately desire for us? What does He repeatedly ask for from the Father? That we may be one. He wants our unity. But how can we be one when our own hearts and souls are divided?

Jesus: “Child, I see the pain and division even in your own heart. I see that you desire unity with Me, that you desire to be with Me, but I also see the other part of you, the part that is still clinging to the things of this world, hoping they will satisfy. I see that even though it is painful, you still cling to your wounds because in them is your identity. You don’t know who you are without them. You have to let go, child, because when your very heart is divided, you cannot be united to another. Dear one, I would not ask you to let go if I did not have something to give to you. I know who you really are.  You are the child of my Father, my beloved. You do not have to live this fractured life. I can bring everything together, make all things work together for your good, even your past wounds and sins. I can bring unity to your soul. And from this interior unity, you can extend love to one another and be one in each other. True unity is born out of complete self-giving and receiving, but you can only give yourself completely when you are completely one yourself.

I have given my whole self to the Father, and I will draw you up into the unity that we have. As you dwell within Us, let the Love between Us, the Holy Spirit, flood your soul. Let Him mend all the pieces of your broken heart and bring unity back to your life. Be filled with this Love. Then turn, and give it to your neighbor. With the courage of a unified heart, you can give without fear. Let your love and unity shine forth, ‘that the world may believe that (the Father) has sent me’ (v 21).”

What is divided in my own heart? What wound or attachment am I still clinging to?

Prayer: Jesus, I realize my own brokenness. I admit to you my own division. In your name, Jesus, I release my sins, wounds, and attachments to You. Unify my heart, so that I may love as You and the Father do. May Your Spirit come and heal all division within me, within my family, and within the Church.

Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved worldwide.