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Working Out Our Life – A Look at John 17:6-19
In today’s gospel Jesus is praying. He’s not talking to the disciples and he’s not talking to us. He’s not teaching and he’s not giving instructions. He’s praying, and we’re listening in. And what a prayer it is.
What do you hear in his prayer? I’m not just asking about what he prays for. I’m asking about what’s behind his prayer. What’s going on in him? What’s his prayer really about?
I ask those questions because one of the things I know about prayer is that we never simply offer our words. Instead, our words are an offering of ourselves and the circumstances of our lives. There’s always more going on than the words we say. They are just the tip of the iceberg, an outward and audible sign of some inner stuff. And I think that’s true for Jesus in today’s gospel (John 17:6-19).
It’s the night of the last supper. Jesus has washed the disciples’ feet. A final meal has been shared. He’s told them he’s leaving. The end is near. Judas left the table and went out into the night. According to John, Jesus is “troubled in spirit.” He knows his friends will abandon him. “You will leave me alone,” he tells them. Peter will deny him three times. Thomas doesn’t know the way. Philip wants to see the Father. And Jesus feels the world’s hate. READ MORE
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