I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word. (John 17: 20)
On the night of the Last Supper, Jesus prayed for you and for me. What a comforting thought. A common contemporary quote attributed to St. Augustine is, “If you were the only person on earth, Jesus would have died for you.” What an idea! God’s personal love for you is so deep that he would have willingly gone to the cross to save you. It is so good for us to remember that Jesus loves each of us deeply, and that on the night he entered into his Passion, he prayed for you and me, and every Christian that would ever walk the earth.
Perhaps this prayer was in Paul’s mind whenever he was brought before a tribunal, or had to give answer for his preaching. Even when he still called himself Saul, Jesus had already prayed for him and his ministry. Even when we have wandered far from God’s dream for our life, Jesus has already prayed for us.
This thought is incredibly comforting. Life is not easy, and can sometimes feel overwhelming. But Jesus prayed for you and me specifically. None of the struggles of life can stand up to the One who has our back.
Rev. Steve Dos Santos, C.PP.S.
Cincinnati Province