John 17

Most celebrations in our world last a few hours–or in the case of some great professional sports win, maybe a week. Here in church we have celebrated Easter for seven Sundays–a week of weeks! The Easter season concludes today with powerful words from Jesus. He is praying for His people in the world–for us! His prayer for us is at the same time comforting and challenging: “Holy Father, keep them in Your name, which You have given Me, that they may be one, even as We are one” (John 17:11). How comforting it is to know that Jesus’ prayer is for the Father to hold on to us no matter what. How challenging it is–in light of the ways that we divide and scatter–that Jesus wants His followers to be one. Today, in Holy Communion, we catch a glimpse of both. The Lord holds on to us by drawing us together to receive Christ’s body and blood; at the same time, we who gather to receive are in that moment one, a foretaste of the feast to come. The Lord is risen! What a celebration!