On the night before he died, as he was praying for his disciples with him there, he looked over their heads, and seeing us in the far distance, he prayed for us too.

Thursday, 6/5/14

Today’s Gospel gives us the final part of Our Lord’s last prayer. After praying for the Apostles who were with him then, he said, “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.”

I enjoy thinking that after praying for the disciples and the women who were with him in that upper room, Jesus looked over their heads: and looking far into the future, he saw us and prayed for us. He prayed for us that night. His far-sightedness made us part of that circle.

Jesus also prayed that we might see the glory the Father gave him. That wish of his might give you pause. In speaking of seeing his glory Jesus might be speaking of our seeing him in heaven where he is now.  

When we speak of him in his lifetime on earth we call him Jesus. When we speak of him in heaven, in glory, we call him Christ. In that regard we should note that St. Paul never seemed to write about Jesus, it was always Christ, or at most Christ Jesus.

While we are most fond of following Jesus through the Gospel stories, we should not neglect him as he is now, as Christ, listening to our prayers.