Sixth Sunday of Easter | iPray with the Gospel
“I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us … Father, I desire that they also, whom thou hast given me, may be with me where I am, to behold my glory which thou hast given me in thy love for me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world has not known thee, but I have known thee; and these know that thou hast sent me. I made known to them thy name, and I will make it known, that the love with which thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
John 17:20-26
This is the prayer of Our Lord at the Last Supper. It was a prayer not just for the twelve, but also for us, “those who believe in me through their word.” It was a prayer for unity: that we may be one: one Church, one people, one family… just one. And what is the ‘glue’ of that desired unity? It comes in the last line: Love! – if the same love that the Father has for the Son is in us. The very same love.
It happened in an old people’s home. A man was furious and wanted to talk to the chief nurse. He was angered by the behaviour of his roommate: ‘I can’t stand this anymore! he was shouting. ‘This is a continuous breach of trust! Every day I find him using my things. I have tolerated him using my shirts and napping on my bed. I have endured him walking in my slippers. I put up with him using my shampoo and towels… but enough is enough! I won’t allow him to laugh at me with my OWN FALSE TEETH!!!’
Well, saints take everything from God, even the love that they need to be able to love Him. It’s like a little girl buying a present for her mom. Mom loves the gift even if she is very much aware that it was paid for with her money. A little girl has no salary, just pocket money from her parents. My Mother, teach me to take from God all I need to give Him. That’s what saints had: the mouth of a beggar and the hands of a thief. They plundered the treasure troves of God to get their love, their fortitude, their boldness, their knowledge, their forgiveness… But you know what? God loves being robbed by his saints. That’s God’s great joy. And that’s the secret business of the saints. Mary has the key to the House of God… she can help us in this ‘divine robbery’.
This article originally appeared on www.ipraywiththegospel.org. Reprinted with permission. Copyright © Fr. George Boronat.
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Rev. George Boronat
Rev. George Boronat M.D. S.T.D is a Catholic priest from the Prelature of Opus Dei, working in the Archdiocese of Southwark in London. He is the Chaplain of The Cedars Independent School in Croydon, and also works as Chaplain of Kelston Club & Study Centre (Balham) and Oakwood Independent School (Purley). He has developed his pastoral ministry mainly with young people and is the author of iPray with the Gospel: Resources to Help Young People Pray.
