Seventh Sunday of Easter

In John’s Gospel, Jesus gives many instructions to his disciples following the Last Supper they share together. Moments before their time in Gethsemane, Jesus lifts his eyes in a prayer sometimes called the Priestly Prayer. Jesus makes clear in the prayer that he knows his time on earth is coming to an end. He has done the work God sent him to do and in the prayer, Jesus asks God to glorify him. In glory, Jesus will return to God. However, that glory can only come after the cross. The cross exposes what people did to Jesus, but the resurrection reveals what God did for him. It is only through Jesus and his death and resurrection that we can know the love God has for us. Jesus also asked God to strengthen the disciples. Since Jesus would return to the Father, his mission and message must now be entrusted to the disciples. Jesus asks God to protect and unite them.