Introduction
I offer the following reflection, having been led to it by the realisation that one’s neighbour is not just the person nearby, but especially, the one who is far away, the one towards whom we must turn and walk towards in the company of Jesus and Mary and the saints, in company with God. It is only in being thankful for what we have in common that we will find peace.
Muslim communities in Perth have been gathering to celebrate Eid al-Adha, which is a commemoration of Abraham’s faith in and obedience to the Will of Allah.
One of the hundreds who gathered in Whiteman Park for the celebration, made the following observation:
The world is beginning to realise we are all human, we all have a place here and we should be living in peace and harmony.
She reflected on the plight of others in the world who are less fortunate that those who gathered to celebrate Eid in the park.
Prayer is essential to the celebration as are practical steps towards taking care of the poor, providing them with food and shelter and companionship.
I came to realise as I read articles about the celebration of Eid around the great State of Western Australia, that Muslims reflect in their faith tradition of Eid, so much that is precious about the humanity we all share and of the faith in God to which we are all called.
The Gospel
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:
‘Holy Father, I pray not only for these, but for those also who through their words will believe in me.
‘May they all be one. Father, may they be one in us, as you are in me and I am in you, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me. I have given them the glory you gave to me, that they may be one as we are one. With me in them and you in me, may they be so completely one that the world will realise that it was you who sent me and that I have loved them as much as you loved me.
‘Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they may always see the glory you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
‘Father, Righteous One, the world has not known you, but I have known you, and these have known that you have sent me. I have made your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and so that I may be in them.’ (John 17:20-26)
The Enquiry
See
Research the context for this part of John’s Gospel. What does Jesus share with God the Father in this passage? What is the subject of his prayer?
Why does Jesus make this prayer to God the Father? How does it relate to his mission?
Has Jesus’ prayer been answered? What evidence can you find in history and in your own life to support your position?
Judge
What do you make of Jesus’ prayer? Are there situations in the world that require more than prayer?
Where in your life and in the world do you experience the lack of unity?
What does your faith tell you about the unity Jesus prays for? How closely does it align with what Jesus shares with his followers through his prayer?
Act
What has to change so that Jesus’ prayer for unity is listened to and answered?
What small action can you carry that will help you and others to respond to Jesus’ prayer for unity?
Who can you involve in your action, when, where and how often?
Image Source: Marvin Mazur (Creator), St Mark’s Church, Syrian Orthodox, Jerusalem, Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0