So That They May Be One

After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed. “I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.” John 17:1-11

Today is the feast day of Kateri Takakwitha, a Mohawk and saint. Today is also Patriot's Day here in Boston and last night we celebrated the 300th anniversary of Old North Church with our Presiding Bishop giving the keynote address. Long before the founding of Old North, Kateri lived in turbulent times (1656-1680), where the conflicts between the French and Dutch over the fur trade, among other things, upended the lives of her people. The settlers introduced smallpox which took away many of her people and all of her family, and Christianity. We too live in turbulent times with great strides forward, and violence and cruelty all around. People of faith need to hear Jesus' prayer today - that we all may be one. We are invited today to simply live God's love in these turbulent times. loving and caring for our neighbors wherever we find ourselves.

Loving God, your embrace is worldwide

your love is eternal and daily renewed

you know the aching hearts of all people

and call us to be one as you are one.

Our diversity and greed bring turbulence

but we do not need to fight each other

for you have given enough for all

and love every creature you have made.

Help us today to respond to the call

help us be your people as we become one

let love alone be our guiding north star

trusting that you have room for us all. Amen.