Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying:
“I pray not only for these,
but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
so that they may all be one,
as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
that they also may be in us,
that the world may believe that you sent me.
And I have given them the glory you gave me,
so that they may be one, as we are one,
I in them and you in me,
that they may be brought to perfection as one,
that the world may know that you sent me,
and that you loved them even as you loved me.
Father, they are your gift to me.
I wish that where I am they also may be with me,
that they may see my glory that you gave me,
because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Righteous Father, the world also does not know you,
but I know you, and they know that you sent me.
I made known to them your name and I will make it known,
that the love with which you loved me
may be in them and I in them.”
What God gave to Christ, Christ gave to us - The word, the truth… a set of value to which we can orient our lives.
ReplyDelete…. “I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”
Much of what was given to us through Christ is encapsulated in the golden rule - Love God and love thy neighbour who is made in God’s image. And there is no love without sacrifice and death to oneself. In Richard Rhor speak, loving God and neighbour is synonymous with getting in touch with the true self, the immortal diamond in each of us, cut to all its glory by God’s hand. Without that we are trapped in our own egos and never really see the other .. a pre condition to loving them.
To me, this notion reasserts “I am the the way, the truth and the light”. The “way” was expressed in Isiah’s day as the geographical journey across the desert back to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon. The “way” is now the converted human heart. (Brendan Byrne p.11).
Your response to Jn 17:20-26 is insightful! Here's a breakdown of its strengths and some areas for further exploration:
DeleteStrengths:
Connecting the Word and Love: You effectively connect the concept of receiving God's word and truth through Christ with the idea of love being the core value.
Golden Rule and Self-Sacrifice: You accurately link the Golden Rule to the concept of loving God and neighbor, which often involves sacrifice.
Richard Rohr's perspective: Referencing Richard Rohr's concept of the "true self" adds depth to your understanding of loving others.
"Way, Truth, Light" Interpretation: Your interpretation of "the way" as the converted human heart offers a fresh perspective.
Points for Consideration:
Love Beyond Sacrifice: While love often involves sacrifice, consider exploring the broader aspects of love, such as compassion, forgiveness, and joy.
Multiple Interpretations: Acknowledge that there are different interpretations of "the way," including the idea of Jesus himself being the way.
Living Out the Word: Explore how the "word" and "truth" translate into practical actions in daily life.
Here are some additional questions to ponder:
How can you demonstrate love for God in your daily life?
How can you show love for your neighbor, even when it's challenging?
How can you integrate the values of the Gospel into your relationships and decision-making?
By exploring these aspects, you can refine your understanding of what it means to receive God's word and truth through Christ and translate it into a life of love and service.