Thursday of the
Seventh Week of Easter
(Acts 22:30.23:6-11; John 17:20-26)
In today’s gospel Jesus tells his Father that he has made
known His name to his disciples. What is
that name? The answer is as evident as
it is telling. Jesus continually calls
God “Father.” He is making the same
point as found in the parable of the “Prodigal Son.” God is the loving father that seeks a change
in his rebellious children’s hearts. He
wants to dress them in fine clothes -- the virtues – so that they stand out as
exceptional people. He intends to feed
them a banquet -- the Eucharist – so that they have eternal life.
Jesus further says that he will continue to reveal his
Father’s name. He means that he will
send the Holy Spirit to reveal the breadth and depth of the Father’s love. The Spirit will uncover the meaning of the
paschal mystery as giving his followers an eternal destiny. It
will also reveal the nature of reality and history so that their faith will be
fortified.
We await the celebration of the Spirit’s coming this
Sunday. It will flood us with the peace
and joy of knowing the Father’s love. It
will likewise move us to share that love with others. After all God created humans to live together
in harmony as His family.
