Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter

 Lectionary: 300

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.

Saint John's Gospel begins with, "In the beginning was the Word; and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

The Fourth Gospel has been described as the most sacramental of the four, because it points so directly at the Word who is made flesh, who lives among us, who is the Bread broken, shared, and eaten. The Word of God is the beginning and end of our life; it is our purpose, direction, animation, and end. The Word of God is our oneness; our integrity, privilege, and delight. 

Hearing the Word, I find and recognize myself and my fellowship with the Church. Though I know existential apartness, I also know sacramental communion; both are integral to myself as a person, as a man of God.

The Word of God is ever ancient, ever new, as Saint Augustine said. It is always fresh and refreshing, always enabling and empowering; demanding, challenging, and encouraging. If it seems to demand more than I expect of myself, it also provides more willingness and courage than I knew I had, because it will not return to the Lord unfruitful:

So shall my word be

that goes forth from my mouth;

It shall not return to me empty,

but shall do what pleases me,

achieving the end for which I sent it. (Is 55:11)

As we hear the Lord pray for us in today's gospel we know His prayer -- "that they may be one" -- cannot fail. It will continue to gather us; leading us as an alpha wolf leads her pack, driving us into harmony like a barking, heel-nipping, hectoring sheepdog. 

For the Word of God we are grateful, because gratitude, praise, and worship are also its fruit.