Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter
(Acts 20:17-27; John 17:1-11a)
Beethoven’s ninth and last symphony ends on a note of glory. The composer pulls all stops from the orchestra and even introduces a chorus to give God the highest praise. It is moment of rapture seemingly meant to call the dead from their graves. It is not too far-fetched to say that the composition, familiarly called the “Ode to Joy,” reflects Jesus’ “Priestly Prayer,” which today’s gospel begins.
Jesus is wrapping up his Last Supper discourse and, indeed, his teaching mission. He turns to his Father in prayer while keeping an eye on his disciples. He reiterates what he has taught all along – he is God’s true image so that when he is seen, the Father is seen. Now he asks the Father to glorify him so that in turn the Father may be glorified. He will be seen as pouring out his blood that the world might glimpse the extent of God’s love for all.
As we begin this culminating week of Eastertide, we too lift up our voices in prayer. Like Jesus we ask that God glorify us with exemplary lives so that our actions may redound to His glory. Specifically we pray that the Holy Spirit descend upon us with all His graces.