The WORD in Other Words by Fr Melchor Bernal SVD (Philippines)
Thursday 7th Week of Easter
By the constant fusion of atoms, the sun creates light and energy on which living beings depend for their survival. As the coming together of atoms creates light and energy that promote life, so does the coming together of people create light and energy of communion and mutual growth.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus prays that “all may be one.” Jesus’ prayer for unity is qualified by a condition that “those who believe in me through their word. . . . may be one” (Jn 17,20).
Unity is only possible when individuals share the same value or vision. In this particular situation, belief in Jesus made visible “through their (individuals’) word.” The word is not only a text printed on a page. It is a text that needs to spring into action. An action that brings light, that energizes, makes others feel alive and united. Living what we believe opens up the way to unity.
In the First Letter of John (2:5) “whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him. . . this is the way we may know that we are in union with him . . . ought to walk just as he walked.”
We may not be able to walk on water like Jesus did. For us, walking on earth with love creates that union. Believing in Jesus through the words we speak, how we make present the word in our lives, as we are the word spoken in love by God, is the force that creates that bond. It produces the light inviting others to join. It energizes those who see the unity of believers making them exclaim with admiration, “see how they love one another.” (Jn 13: 35)
Source – Bible Diary 2020
Éditions Verbum Bible 
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