Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: June 5, 2025

Thursday of the 7th Week of Easter/memorial of St. Boniface

Scripture Text:  John 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."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel text for today is the conclusion of Jesus’ prayer to the Father just before His arrest and crucifixion as recounted by John. Jesus’ prayer is for unity among us, His followers, believers, disciples. But His prayer goes beyond earthly unity; He asks the Father that we be one with Him and the Father, that we share in their unity and that the Father love us as the Father has loved His only begotten Son.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Jesus stresses presence (remain in me) and unity (one). How am I striving to open myself to both these gifts from my loving Redeemer and LORD?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Most Holy Spirit, we lift our hearts and voices to You this day, aware of your divine, loving presence to us always and everywhere. Stir within us so that your love may transform us more perfectly into the daughters and sons, into the disciples, into the living temples we are meant to be. Foster in us the openness to your grace and love, the openness to your presence always and everywhere, the openness to your mysterious unity so that we might better reflect You always and everywhere. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.