Acts 7:55-60
Rev 22:12-14, 16-17, 20
Jn 17:20-26

The Door

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: “Holy Father, I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one,”

In my professional life I have had people ask me to lead a funeral, give a workshop, visit a friend not based on knowing me, but rather because a friend of theirs gave them my name. I always find this an amazing experience. Partly because of the extraordinary trust they have in their friend but mostly because they are willing to put something very important to them in the hands of a stranger.

In the gospel reading of May 20th Jesus prays for his disciples who are going to be ambassadors of His Word and we get to hear the very private prayer that He prays, a prayer that continues to be uttered everyday in the here and now.

There are family members who are praying for their spouses, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, granddaughters and grandsons as they head out to enter the work force or military after graduating from school… These prayers are offered up in hope that these loved ones will be safe, will be brilliant, will be able to pay their rent and other daily costs.

Imagine the ears of God as these words are being lifted up in prayer. These days we are waiting again to celebrate Pentecost…to celebrate the Spirit that Jesus promised us… that grace that allows each of us to be that witness to a world longing for the love and forgiveness which was the capstone of Jesus’ presence so long ago. Today He hands over to us the opportunities to be the door through which God’s presence is made known. Let us dare to make this prayer become flesh.