I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do.
Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began. (John 17:4 NABRE)
Jesus' conversation with his Father, reveal for us a few things about himself, indeed about what he knows about himself. We are all self-aware, and our impression of our purpose is an important foundation of the way we live our lives.
In today's passage, taken from what is called the "high priestly prayer" of Jesus, we see that Jesus knows--and seems quite comfortable with--the fact that he was sent to earth by his Father on a mission. Here, we see that he has completed his work and knows he will soon return to his Father.
We also see that Jesus lived with the Father since before the world began. A reminder for us of Jesus' eternal nature. Jesus is God, and his coming among us as the promised messiah was one step in restoring our broken relationship with him. We are deeply imperfect and it is our nature to struggle against what is good and true. We are drawn to the temptation of sin and we needed Jesus to show us a way beyond the sin, beyond the temptations, and beyond our own self.
Today, on this Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter, I will gratefully pray day five of the Novena to the Holy Spirit.
Saint Damien de Veuster of Moloka'i, 19th-century priest who served those with leprosy on the Hawaiian island of Molokai, pray for us.
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