Lumen Christi
Eustaquio Santimano, 2010
My dear friends,
Today, I wish to share some thoughts on a very important passage from the Christian scriptures, John 17:20-26. This passage is a part of the farewell discourse of Jesus to his disciples, and is often considered as his "High Priestly Prayer".
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."
- John 17:20-21
Here, Jesus is expressing his deep desire for unity, not just among his immediate followers, but for all who will come to believe in him through their word. This sense of unity is fundamental to our existence. It is the sense of oneness with others that forms the basis of compassion and love. When we realize that we are all interconnected and interdependent, it becomes natural to care for each other and the world around us. The message here is not just for Christians, but for all humanity. It is a call to transcend our narrow self-interests and work together for the greater good of all.
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."
- John 17:22-23
In this passage, Jesus talks about sharing the glory given to him by the Father with his followers, so that they may be one, as he and the Father are one. This glory is not about worldly accolades or accomplishments, but rather the divine presence and love that unites us all. It is about recognizing the divine light in each other and in ourselves. When we acknowledge this shared divinity, we can overcome our differences and work together harmoniously, creating a world that reflects the love and unity that is our true nature.
Now the Gospel of John closes the circle from the very beginning:
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came into being through him,
and without him not one thing came into being.
What has come into being in him was life,
and the life was the light of all people.
- John 1:1-2
"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."
- John 17:24
Here, the Gospel refers to the Word, the divine creative force that brought all things into being, as being with God and as being God. This Word is the source of all life and is the light that shines in every human being. Jesus' desire for his followers to be with him and see his glory is a reflection of his desire for all of us to recognize and embrace our own divine nature, to realize that we are all children of the same loving Creator. This recognition can lead to a sense of deep peace and contentment, as we understand our place in the cosmos and our connection to all living beings.
And the circle closes again:
He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him.
But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God,
who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
- John 1:9-13
"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 17:25-26
This is a message of hope and empowerment. It reminds us that, despite the challenges we may face, despite the rejection or misunderstanding we may encounter, we have within us the power to realize our true nature as children of God. Jesus' mission was to make the Father's name known, so that the love with which the Father loved him may be in us, and he in us. This is the ultimate goal of all spiritual practice - to realize our true nature as beings of love, and to live in a way that reflects that love in the world.
The message of these passages from the Gospel of John is one of hope, empowerment, and unity. It is a call to recognize our true nature as children of God, to embrace the love that is our birthright, and to work together for the greater good of all. It is a message that is as relevant today as it was two thousand years ago. May we all take it to heart and strive to live in a way that reflects the love, compassion, and wisdom that is our true nature.