Tuesday of the
Seventh Week of Easter
(Acts 20:17-27; John 17:1-11a)
The movie Philomena
opens with the main character praying.
She obviously enjoys a close relationship with the Lord. She is a simple
woman -- not well-off or socially enviable -- but happy. The movie contrasts her life with that of the
journalist who accompanies her in the quest of information about her lost son. He is sophisticated, critical, and restless. Most people would choose to be like him, but
Philomena’s life is really more desirable.
Today’s gospel indicates why.
In the gospel Jesus gives a definition of eternal
life. It is having status or comforts or
culinary delights. It is merely to know God
and His Son, Jesus. The knowledge he
speaks of is experiential not theoretical.
It is the love one feels from a friend who knows us thoroughly and
chooses to remain with us forever.
We will gain experiential knowledge of both God the Father
and the Son to the extent that we show love to others. This entails acknowledging and rejoicing in the
goodness of those whom we meet. It can
be challenging at times as most people have some irksome characteristics. We may consider our recognition of the
goodness of others as an investment. Whatever
effort we make to do it will reap great dividends in what God does for us.
