Gospel JN 17:20-26
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.”
Reflection:
“I made known to them your name and I will make it known,
that the love with which you loved may be in them and I in them.”
Jesus’ words, “that the love with which you loved me
may be in them” are at the very heart of the My Brother’s Keeper mission to
“bring the love and hope of Jesus Christ to those we serve.”
Recently, I made a food delivery to “Wanda,” along with John, a member of the My Brother’s Keeper staff, and two diaconate candidates, Philip and Jim.
Although grateful for the much needed food that we delivered, it was apparent that Wanda was burdened by great sadness.
Hoping to lift her spirits, we inquired about the pictures she had on display of an infant and a little boy. “They’re my grandsons,” Wanda replied. “My son and his wife broke up a while back. My three year old grandson, Billy, lived with me since he was born but now I don’t get to see him at all. His mother doesn’t let him visit, and I haven’t seen him for months. I’m very worried about him.”
The four of us could feel Wanda’s pain, especially John who spends two days a week babysitting for his first grandchild Emily, who just celebrated her birthday.
Laying my hand on Wanda’s shoulder I said, “Wanda, I’m sure God is watching over Billy and his little brother. For three years, Billy felt your love for him. He is not going to forget you. God has a way of straightening these things out. Keep your faith and trust in God.”
As we all stood in silence, the beauty of our mission was so apparent. Everyone present had forgotten about the food that had been delivered, and as Jesus did in today’s gospel, we prayed that Wanda could feel the peace and love of God our Father.

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” John 14:27