Seventh Sunday of Easter
Jesus prayed for his disciples, and then he said. "I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. "Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them." John 17:20-26
We are those who Jesus has prayed for when he prayed for his disciples. He prayed that we all become completely one. We are so very far from his prayer and from the desire of his heart today. As this country is so divided, so are our Christian churches and denominations. Instead of being tightly woven together, we are pulling at the individual strands and fraying the ends ever more. As we await Pentecost next Sunday, we hope for a real infusion of the Holy Spirit and yet we will refuse that same spirit if it makes us humble enough to reach across the aisle, reach across to those we have demonized. Despite our behavior, we are ardently loved by Jesus and our Creator aches that we be bound in love, one to another.
A Litany for the Seventh Sunday of Easter
Wondrous Creator, you see us as one family
in rich diversity, blended for perfect harmony
yet we refuse to join with others, refuse to sing.
Lord Jesus, pray for us now so we all may be one.
We are so deeply divided we assume it's normal
yet Jesus prayed that we be completely one
and you know us all as your beloved children.
Lord Jesus, pray for us now so we all may be one.
The heart of God is breaking for this family
separated by culture, language and traditions
unwilling to seek a way to loving reconciliation.
Lord Jesus, pray for us now so we all may be one.
You, O Lord, do not despise anyone you have made
yet we find it our duty to condemn the others.
Lord Jesus, pray for us now so we all may be one.
Your heart, O God, is for the healing of all
your desire is that the hoop be mended now.
Lord Jesus, pray for us now so we all may be one.
Give us your heart and your strength today
give us your love so we may reconcile the world.
Lord Jesus, pray for us now so we all may be one. Amen.
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