Father, I pray also for those who will believe in me

Readings: 1^st: Acts 22:30; 23, 6-11; Ps: 16; Gos: John 17:20-26

This brief reflection was written by Rev. Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a Member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (Spiritans). He is currently working with the Spiritan International Group of Puerto Rico &  Dominican Republic. He is the Administrator of Parroquia La Resurrección del Senor, Canovanas and the Chancellor of the Diocesis of Fajardo-Humacao, Puerto Rico. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, cancilleriadfh@gmail.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com

Today is Thursday of the Seventh week of Easter. We continue our reflection on the last encounter of Christ with his disciples.

So, today’s gospel presents the last part of the priestly and ecumenical prayer of Christ for his immediate and future followers.

Looking forward the future, Christ manifested his great desire not only for us, but also for those whom his Father will add to his flock through our missionary endeavor.

He Prayed: “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word. This means that, he took it for granted that we are going to fulfill his mandate: “Go into the world and make disciples of all the nations.”

Through this prayer, Christ reminds us that we equally have a role to play. That is, to encourage others through our work and word, to become his disciples, and to expand the community of believers.

So, the redemptive work of Christ does not end in one being saved alone, but in continuing the work of Christ, until every other person out there can experience the love of God which unites us to him. This is the desire that Christ expressed in his prayer today.

So, Christ asked the Father for the unity of both his immediate and future disciples. This unity is very important to the success of our mission because, without love and unity we do not deserve credibility.

It is really tragic to see much division both among us Catholics, and generally, among us Christians who say that we believe in Christ. There is no doubt that, in spite of the great progress we have made, division continues to rob us of credibility.

As disciples of Christ, we must continue to work hard in order to restore this credibility though fraternal dialogue. It seems a difficult task. However, Christ continues to intercede for us: “Father, may they may be one, as we are one.”

So, as we continue with our novena to the Holy Spirit, let us ask Christ to generously fill us with the Holy Spirit, so that we may learn to live in unity.

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!