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Gospel Reading for May 16, 2024 – John 17: 20-26
TURN TO GOD
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one,
I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”
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It is said that in 2024, there are 2,173,180,000 Christians comprising 31% of the world population, and of which 50% are Catholic, 37% Protestant, 12% Orthodox, and 1% other. Up to now, more and more people are being baptized as Christians, and more and more people are becoming interested to know who Jesus is, especially his teachings and way of life. If we think that Christian morals are fast deteriorating in the world because of the devil working double-time, we remember the prayer of Jesus in this reading. Being the Son of God, Jesus’ prayer to the Father is of course, the MOST POWERFUL! And, because sin has devastating effects on the lives of people, it will also be sin that will make people TURN TO GOD.
Truly, God writes straight in crooked lines!
Thank you, Jesus, for wanting us to be united with you and the Father!