"The Glory of Christ Shared With Us"
Reflection on John 17:20-26
In John 17:20-26, we witness one of the most tender and powerful moments in all of Scripture—Jesus praying not only for His disciples, but for all who would come to believe in Him through their word. That includes us. This prayer, uttered just before His Passion, reveals Jesus' deepest desires for His followers: that they may share in the unity, love, and glory that He shares with the Father.
Jesus says, "I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one" (v. 22). What a staggering thought—that Christ shares His glory with us. This is not worldly fame or success, but the divine glory of God’s own presence and love. It is the radiant beauty of holiness, the glory of a life lived in communion with God.
This passage is a powerful reminder that our Christian calling is not just about moral behavior or personal salvation—it is about entering into the very life of God. We are called to live in such deep relationship with Christ that we reflect His presence to the world. In a divided and hurting world, our unity and love become a living sign of God’s love and truth.
For us as Roman Catholics, this reflection draws us to the heart of the Church’s mission: to be a sacrament of communion with God and unity among all people. It challenges us to be reconciled with one another, to forgive, to serve, and to place love above all else. The Eucharist especially becomes the sign and source of this unity—where we receive the Body of Christ and are made into the Body of Christ.
Jesus ends His prayer with longing: "I made your name known to them and will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them." This is the heart of our faith: to dwell in the love of the Trinity, and to allow Christ to live in us.
Key Takeaway:
Christ desires to share His divine glory and love with us. By living in communion with Him and one another, we become signs of God’s presence in the world—calling all to believe in the love that saves.
