Thoughts for the Day

(Jesus prays to the Father) ‘I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

We have been looking at God's creation of the world as described in Genesis, and we now turn to the New Testament, to see if we can find some more information. In a number of the letter we read that Christ was associated with the Father in the work of Creation. And in John's Gospel Jesus is called 'the Word' (John 1.1-3), who was 'in the world, and the world came into being through him' (John 1.10-18). In today's reading which is part of Jesus' great prayer to the Father just prior to his death, he re-affirms his unity with the Father, which he says, has existed since before the world was created. While in the letter to the Colossians Jesus is seen as the creative arm of God. He is the 'image of the invisible God... for in him all things in heaven and earth were created.' (Colossians 1.15-20).

But perhaps the most amazing section of today's reading is that Jesus was praying to the Father for his disciples, and 'on behalf on those who will believe in me through their word'! That means us! Jesus wanted us to be one with him and the Father, and he invites us to share in that glory.

We may not understand how the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are One, but perhaps we can just take our Lord's words on faith, and say "Include me too in this plan, Lord, please!"

Lord Jesus Christ,
You taught us that You were
the agent of Creation,
God's arm that fashioned our world.
We thank You that You
brought into being such beauty,
such complexity,
and such order out of chaos.
May we never forget that You
are daily involved in Your creation,
and may we seek to cherish and nurture
all that You have given to us.
Amen.