Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter
(Acts 20:17-27; John 17:1-11a)
The prayer Jesus makes in today’s gospel is often called “priestly.” Jesus is the high priest who is about to offer
the eternal sacrifice for human redemption. His prayer precedes the sacrifice by less
than a day. Its exalted tone may sound strange,
but Jesus is not directing himself to a human being. He is speaking to God. The prayer is part of the eternal dialogue between
Father and Son in the Spirit.
In the prayer Jesus continually mentions giving and
receiving glory. In John gospel glory is
manifested with Jesus’ crucifixion. Unlike
the other gospels, where the crucifixion is portrayed as a temporary defeat to
be overturned with resurrection, in John Jesus’ death completes his redemptive mission. Furthermore, it reveals what perfect love –
the love of God – is like by sacrificing his life for flawed humanity.
Our response to such a magnanimous act can only be something
like today’s responsorial psalm. “Blessed
day by day be the Lord, who bears our burdens…who is our salvation.”
