Entering into the conversation between the Father and the
Son
John 17:11B-19
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying: “Holy
Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one
just as we are one. When I was with them I protected them in your name that you
gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of
destruction, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled. Consecrate them in
the truth. Your word is truth. As you
sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself
for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”
Have you
ever accidentally overheard a private conversation? Or, for that matter, have
you ever intentionally overheard a private conversation? That’s called
“eavesdropping.” Most people, seeing two people speaking in low voices, huddled
together, would politely back away, giving them space. That’s why we rope off
the pews directly in front of the confessional, so people don’t accidentally
overhear, or to prevent people from intentionally overhearing! This is also why
we instinctively give people ample space in church, so as not to interrupt
their sacred conversation with God. People should enjoy privacy when they pour
out their hearts to God in prayer.
Now, the
famous British novelist, Jane Austen, once said she never recorded a private
conversation between two men by themselves in her novels because she couldn’t imagine
what two men alone would talk about. It’s really not that hard to imagine:
either they’re talking about the weather, or fishing or baseball. Or they’re
just sitting there, not talking at all!
In the
gospel we get to overhear a conversation, not between two men, but between God
the Father and God the Son. In fact, the gospel of John, chapters 14 through 17
record one long, extended prayer of Jesus speaking to his Father. Like many of
you when you come to church and pour out your hearts in prayer to God, so too
Jesus, pours out his heart in supplication to God. This prayer is very
personal; it gives us a glimpse into God’s heart. And yet, St. John invites us
to eavesdrop on this conversation, to listen, to learn and to love. In fact, I had
a memorial card made for my ordination day, and on the card I wrote a passage
from today’s gospel, “Consecrate them in the truth.” In other words, I wanted
Jesus’ “high priestly prayer” to be my own prayer as a priest. You can’t do
much better than to pray like Jesus prayed.
Today, think
a little about your own private conversations with God. What do you say when
you pour out your heart to your Maker? Do you talk about the weather and
fishing and baseball? You know, some of the most fervent prayers were probably
about weather, and fishing and baseball! “Please, Lord, don’t let the Cubs lose
again!” This past Christmas, I made a small card with a short prayer that I say
every morning. Here’s my personal prayer (don’t worry, it’s not 4 chapters
long): “Please bless me, Lord, that I might be an instrument of your love, joy,
peace and grace to all those I meet today. And may all I meet today, be an
instrument of your love, joy, peace and grace to me. Amen.” By the way, at the
end of the day this prayer also serves as an excellent examination of
conscience. That is, was I such an instrument today or not?
What would
your personal prayer to God be? I’m sure it’s something that Jane Austen could
never imagine.
Praised be
Jesus Christ!
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