Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter
(Acts 20:17-27; John 17:1-11a)
In the motion picture “Glory” a regiment of African-American Union soldiers give their lives in battle with a superior Confederate force. Their self-sacrifice for the well-being of the nation testifies to the appropriateness of the title. In the gospel today Jesus testifies to a similar claim for glory.
Jesus has entered his final hour. As if it were the prefatory prayer at Mass, he begins his prayer to the Father which will lead to his passion, death, and resurrection. He asks God for the grace to endure the ordeal that will end in his glory. He has already won glory for the Father by preaching His love for the world. Now he seeks to model that love by giving himself on behalf of the world.
We also can achieve glory by acts of self-sacrifice. Daily acts of self-denial give glory to God and redound to our own glory. We might also ask God for courage to accept death when it comes. We hope to die faithful to God by reconciling with our enemies and asking our loved ones to pray for us.
