Raising his eyes to heaven, Jesus said: “Father, glorify your Son (…), so that, just as you have given him power over all humanity, he may give eternal life to all those you have entrusted to him. And eternal life is this: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (Jn 17:2-3).
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THE GLORIFICATION OF GOD
Over the next few weeks, we will meditate verse by verse on the 17th chapter of St. John, which is the supreme expression of the profound relationship between the Father and the Son.
“Jesus said, ‘Glorify your Son so that your Son may glorify you’ ” (Jn 17:1b).
LOOKING AT THE FATHER WITH THE EYES OF JESUS
“Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said: ‘Father…'” (Jn 17:1).
This is the predominant attitude of Jesus: raising His eyes to the Father. It expresses the very depths of His being, for He came into the world to do the will of the Father (cf. Jn 4:34). Nothing was more important to Him! His heart was at all time focused on the Father.
BLIND TRUST
“Just and true are thy ways, O King of the ages!” (Rev 15:3c).
Who can understand and accept the ways of our Father? Sometimes we can understand them after the fact, but rarely at the time they happen.
THE SURE WAY
“He who abides in the doctrine has both the Father and the Son” (2 Jn 1:9).
True communion with the Father and the Son takes place when we abide in the right doctrine, says the Apostle John.
THE WEDDING GARMENT
“You must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48).
The creative love of God, on which we meditated yesterday, leads us along the path of sanctification, so that this exhortation of Jesus becomes a reality: “You must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect”.
These words should not discourage us, even though in their sublime light we see how unworthy we are. Let us remember the exclamation we make at every Holy Mass before receiving Communion: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed”. Read More
THE LORD REPROVES HIM WHOM HE LOVES
“The Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights” (Prov 3:12).
Our Father not only surrounds us with His warm, tender, and provident love, which gives us security in our existence; but, moved by this same love, He also reproves and corrects us, thus showing Himself to be our Father who loves us as children.
ETERNAL LIFE
“This is the will of my Father, that every one who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day” (Jn 6:40).
THE LITTLE FLOCK
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Lk 12:32).
The little flock… They are those who remain faithful to the Father even in the midst of tribulation. Even when persecutions arise because the world rejects the Gospel, though confusion pervades even the Church, though apocalyptic plagues descend upon humanity and antichristian powers seek to dominate the world, our Father will preserve His own.
GOOD WORKS
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Mt 5:16).
The works of the Lord that we do and the light in which we live by God’s grace must bear witness to the loving presence of our heavenly Father in this world.