The Gospel of John recounts Jesus� own prayer to God the Father, one of the most intimate passages in the New Testament.  Today�s passage comprises the centerpiece of that prayer.   What could be more intimate than a person�s private conversation with God?

Seeking the Father�s care for fragile disciples � human beings like ourselves � constitutes the lively pulse of Jesus� prayer.  Consider Peter�s fragility in the scene when Jesus is washing feet (John 13:1-7).  At first Peter refuses to have his feet washed, but later he changes his mind expresses willingness to fully submit to Jesus� offer.   Jesus asks the Father to protect and unite the disciples and to extend his holiness to them.  Essentially, Jesus prays for his disciples, �May they all be one.�   We fragile disciples need God to watch out for us.

The Gospel of John situates Jesus� prayer between the account of the Last Supper and that of Jesus� night-time arrest in the garden.  What follows the arrest is Jesus� living proof of his limitless love in his death to set us free from sin.  God�s expansive love and ultimate concern for us find expression in the name, Jesus.  The Father sent Jesus to reveal to us that God�s love has an exponent on it.  God loves us to the 20th power and far more.  The Psalmist having tasted God�s love writes, �The Lord is my light and my salvation of whom need I fear?� (Psalm 27:1)

�Love is shown in deeds,� says Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).   God�s love and Jesus� prayer invite us courageously to show love to others in faith and in service.  Such that by Jesus� prayer to the Father, we disciples are sent by the Sent One, Jesus.  With Pentecost  Sunday near, will you ponder with the aid of the Holy Spirit Jesus� profound prayer asking God to forge disciples willing to serve the weakest and most fragile of our society?