So That They May Have My Joy Complete in Themselves

This meditation is based on a passage for April 21, 2011 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: John 17:1-26

Reflection and Question: This chapter in the Gospel of John is Jesus’ final prayer on the evening of His capture marked as Maundy Thursday during Holy Week each year. Jesus speaks directly to God whom He calls, “Father.” The prayer is full of huge theological concepts like glory, eternal life, world, sanctification, protection and love. Jesus begins with the desire that His actions glorify God, evoking the blazing brightness of God’s glory. But Jesus ends the prayer with the more human notion of love and the way love binds God and us together. For what in Jesus’ prayer are you most grateful?

Prayer: Dearest Jesus, God gave us to You. We are Yours. We rest in the tender arms of Your protection. We share the joy of sanctification in You with all we meet. As Your Father loves You, so You love us. Help us, then, go forth to love the world. Amen.