Jesus asks the Almighty Father that the Apostles may be filled with the Father’s love. Every Catholic man can grow in happiness by building the Virtue of Diligence so he can strive in prayer to draw closer to the Almighty Father and by cultivating the Virtue of Observance so he can observe and honor the Indwelling Trinity in other Catholics and baptized Christians not yet in full communion with Christ’s Holy Catholic Church.
Liturgy
7th Week of Easter – Thursday – Jn 17:20-26; 7th Week of Easter – Sunday – Cycle C – Jn 17:20-26
Commentary
After preparing the Apostles for their mission after His departure, Jesus now completes His High Priestly Prayer (Jn 17). Having given glory to God the Father and prayed for the protection of the Apostles, Jesus now prays that all His disciples, throughout the age of His Holy Catholic Church, remain unified with God the Father and the Son.
With His eyes raised to the Father, Jesus prays not only for the Apostles but for all future disciples, across time and around the world, the Apostles will bring to Him by their faithful preaching of His Gospel. The Apostles’ mission, and the mission of all disciples, is to preach the Gospel of Jesus to the disbelieving world and to draw many men to God throughout the ages.
Jesus prays for the unity of those who believe in Him, that they may be brought into perfect communion with the unity of God the Father and the Son. This supernatural unity, which transcends time and space, is because the Triune God literally dwells within each disciple, drawing all into a unified communion: this supernatural unity that exists across believers is the basis for the Catholic doctrine of the Communion of Saints. The Church’s unity, joyfully uniting all Catholics in love, is a powerful witness of the love of Christ, which can bring unbelieving men to belief. Encouraging them prior to His departure, Jesus gives thanks to the Father for giving Him the “gift” of the Apostles, for their belief that Jesus has been sent from the Father, and that the Apostles have come to a robust belief in the Father.
Be awed by Jesus Christ
Be obedient to Jesus, who loves and reveals God the Father: Son of the Father, in the Gospel, Jesus reveals, and repeatedly emphasizes, the Truth that God is to be always known and approached as the “Father”, a undeniable confirmation of the centrality of patriarchy in the family, in the Holy Catholic Church, and in society; the perfection of Obedience and Piety (parts of Justice), Jesus demonstrates and commands all men to praise, worship, and glorify God the Father.
Diligently pray to draw closer to the Father
Realize: As the Son of God prepares for His death, Jesus demonstrates the importance of prayer, and that He has a deep personal relationship with God the Father. As an adopted son of God through baptism, every Catholic man has the opportunity and duty to draw near to God the Father, particularly during times of trial.
Believe: Reflect upon The Call to Prayer (CCC 2566-2597), The Prayer at the Hour of Jesus (CCC 2746-2758).
Pray: Almighty Father, help me build the Virtue of Diligence (a part of Temperance) so I always remember I am your adopted son, I have a disciplined daily prayer practice to draw closer to You, my Father, and I seek to do Your Will in all things.
Observe and honor the Indwelling Trinity in others
Realize: The astounding reality of the Communion of the Saints is that every Catholic man has a real supernatural union through the Indwelling Trinity with all other Catholics, including those on earth, in Purgatory and in Heaven; a Catholic man’s pilgrimage to Heaven can be quickened as he more frequently recognizes and honors the God in others.
Believe: Reflect upon the Communion of Saints (CCC 946-962).
Pray: Jesus, Person of the Trinity, help me grow in the Virtue of Observance (a part of Justice) so I recognize, love and honor the Indwelling Trinity in the souls of every other Catholic and rejoice in Your mysterious blessing of the Communion of the Saints.