Frederick, Maryland, United States - Daily Mass Reading & Catholic Meditation “The Word Among Us” for Thursday, 5 June 2014

Frederick, Maryland, United States - Daily Mass Reading & Catholic Meditation “The Word Among Us” for Thursday, 5 June 2014
Meditations: John 17:20 Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me. 22 The glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one; 23 I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me, and loved them, even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory, which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 Righteous Father, the world hasn’t known you, but I knew you; and these knew that you sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and will make it known; that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr
I pray … that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you. (John 17:20, 21)
He is everywhere in this prayer, yet his name is never mentioned. He’s invisible and mysterious, but powerful and awe inspiring. His job is to bring us into the very life of the Trinity. And by inspiring the Gospels, he has ensured that Jesus’ words are preserved for all ages. Can you guess who he is?
He’s the Holy Spirit, and this is his way. He is usually found moving behind the scenes, invisible and powerful as the wind. Proceeding from the Father and the Son, he seeks to pour divine life into everyone who turns to God. Sent from heaven by the Father and the Son, he is always at work, empowering us to share the good news and forming us into his Church, the body of Christ.
Jesus’ prayer here beautifully expresses these two works of the Spirit—uniting us as one body and empowering us to bring the good news to the world. Jesus knew that he had to “go” (die on the cross) so that the Spirit could come, and he welcomed that fact (John 16:7). He knew that nothing would happen if the Spirit didn’t come.
If you want to see God’s will fulfilled in your heart and in the world around you, know that you can’t do it without the Holy Spirit! So let’s all turn to the Spirit together. Let’s ask him to make Jesus’ prayer a deeper reality in our lives.
“We worship and glorify you, Holy Spirit, together with the Father and Son. We welcome you into our hearts and into our homes as our guest of honor. We unite ourselves in Jesus’ prayer, and we ask you to unite us as one people. Teach us to look on all our brothers and sisters with love and humility. Show us how to break down dividing walls of suspicion and prejudice.
“Come, Holy Spirit, and usher us into the heart of the Trinity. We want to share in your divine life. Open our eyes to the glory and love that the Father has poured onto the whole world. By your power at work in us, transform us so that the world will see Christ in every member of your Church.”
“Come, Holy Spirit. You make all things possible!” Amen.

Acts 22:30 But on the next day, desiring to know the truth about why he was accused by the Jews, he freed him from the bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to come together, and brought Paul down and set him before them.
23:6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. Concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!”
7 When he had said this, an argument arose between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess all of these. 9 A great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees part stood up, and contended, saying, “We find no evil in this man. But if a spirit or angel has spoken to him, let’s not fight against God!”
10 When a great argument arose, the commanding officer, fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.
11 The following night, the Lord stood by him, and said, “Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome.”
Psalm 16: A Poem by David.
1 Preserve me, God, for in you do I take refuge.
2 My soul, you have said to Yahweh, “You are my Lord.
    Apart from you I have no good thing.”
5 Yahweh assigned my portion and my cup.
    You made my lot secure.
7 I will bless Yahweh, who has given me counsel.
    Yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons.
8 I have set Yahweh always before me.
    Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices.
    My body shall also dwell in safety.
10 For you will not leave my soul in Sheol,[a]
    neither will you allow your holy one to see corruption.
11 You will show me the path of life.
    In your presence is fullness of joy.
In your right hand there are pleasures forever more.
Footnotes:
a. Psalm 16:10 Sheol is the place of the dead.
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