The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, June 1, 2006
Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter
St. Justin, martyr

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 22:30; 23:6-11
Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11
John 17:20-26

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

There are times in life when we wonder who we really are. This is especially true in the late teen years, and for many again in mid-life. In fact we sometimes refer to it as a “mid-life crisis.” But for most of us, the question only surfaces from time to time. It is a healthy question to ask and to think through as best we can.

In the beautiful gospel for today, Christ answers that question for us for all time. He states, "Father, they are your gift to me." (see John 17:20-26)

Have you ever thought of yourself as a gift for Christ, presented by the Father to Him? What a difference it would make in peoples' lives if they knew that, in the ways they respect themselves in all ways. How would they speak, dress, choose their leisure, spend their very lives?

If that wasn't enough of an awesome statement, Christ went on in His prayer to say, “I wish that where I am they also may be with me.” (see John 17:20-26) What reassuring words for us to hear in the gospel! This is no distant, cold, figure in history. Christ loves each of us as His special gift from the Father, and He wants us with Him.

Do we consider Christ our special gift to us from the Father?

Do our lives reflect that same love that He has for each of us?

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)