Fresh Dew Media

 7^TH SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR C: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: JESUS' PRAYER FOR US

(John 17:20-26)

It is wonderful to know that Jesus offers prayers and entreaties for us. He lifts us and our shortcomings and weaknesses to His Father. He takes us up. From above, He came to give us the heavenly attributes. It is interesting to see how Jesus gazes into heaven on our behalf. May we take a look at the content and intent of Jesus' prayers for those who believe in Him through the word they have heard.

ON EARTH AS IN HEAVEN

The Gospel began with the following words: "Lifting up His eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed...that they may all be one."

Why did Jesus look up to heaven? Was this act a careless or meaningless gesture? Did He just look up purposelessly? He may have looked up for a transplantation. Yes, I choose to call it transplantation. He wished to replicate what happens in heaven here on earth to transfer the seed of heavenly unity to the earth. He may have been praying, " Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" in another way.

Jesus may have remembered the effect of an attempted disunity in heaven and its effect on Lucifer, the author of such disharmony.

Jesus must have remembered the Divine effort at bringing about a lasting union with Man in paradise, which failed when Satan came in.

He remembers His mission and preaching: "The kingdom of God is at hand."

He has seen the Church as that kingdom on earth and wishes that it be One just as He is One with the Father. Jesus wants the unity for which He prayed to flow from the Trinity.

PERFECTLY ONE

Jesus knew how imperfect man was and prayed for Him.  He is not ready to settle with anything less than perfection. He prayed for perfect unity among His family the Church. But what has happened down the ages is nothing to write home about. Why do you render Christ's prayers unanswered? Every Father wishes that His children live in peace. It is usually the joy of dying parents who really loved their children and rooted them in unity to see that they remain one. They usually pray that no knife may be put on what hold their family together, that they may not fall apart. It is usually an encouraging word they resound in them 'united you stand'. With this, they are warned against the danger of disintegration.

 

WHAT CAUSES DISUNITY?

A lot of things may bring about disunity. Some of them include disobedience and selfishness.

Disobedience led Lucifer out of the unity of mind and heart he shared in heaven. And he said "non serviam" (I shall not serve). It is connected with the desire to lord it over others and expect to be served instead. Here, selfishness is also implied. He tries to take the glory due to God.

Adam, in disobedience, ate the forbidden fruit and lost the kingdom as well as the peaceful union he enjoyed with God. Judas left the bond, and we saw his end.

DISUNITY TODAY

Today, thousands and thousands of Christian denominations exist. The blind eye they pay to this portion of the scripture is quite surprising. The misinterpretation they give this passage is scandalous. Their intention to keep splitting up more and more can make Christ to weep. The recklessness of establishing and overseeing churches is unspeakably alarming.

Did Jesus establish a body in history? Yes.

Did he empower people to start establishing churches here and there? No.

Paul saw Christ. Did he start up his own church? No. He was rather directed to Ananias and the apostles.

There was a problem too in the early Church. Did it bring about a tear? No. The apostles met and ironed them out.

Let us pay heed to the call of Christ for unity in the Church, unity and love in our world, unity and love in our country, in our states, harmony in our families and the various organizations and institutions we find ourselves in.  When we live united by the right purpose, common good, passion for progress, and respect for one another, we help in bringing to realization the prayer and wish of Christ. This will save our world from crisis. Religious, moral, political, economic, etc.

May God bless His word in our hearts.

LET US PRAY

Oh God, give us the spirit to be one in faith. Lead back to the fold all who have strayed.

May we be strengthened in communion and union with each other in God. Help us to live in tolerance and respect for the Higher Good in the name of The Father and of The Son and of The Holy Spirit. Amen

Happy Sunday (Easter, 7th Week, Yr C)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh