Gospel: John 17: 1-11
"This is eternal life: to know God, and him who was sent, Jesus Christ."
What does it mean to know God? What does eternal life look like? Jesus gives us clues to the answer in various parables he provides. The kingdom of God is often compared to a great banquet, and it is in the context of a shared meal that Jesus provides the reflection from today's Gospel reading. The banquet is the primary image of eternal life with God.
In the Christian tradition God is a relational being - one being consisting of three persons so united in love. Human beings created in God's image and likeness are by nature interpersonal and relational beings. We participate in the life of God by loving relationships with other people, by being together as a human family around the table of the Lord. The Eucharist is our sacramental foretaste of eternal life with God, with one another.
We all want to be included in this eternal banquet table. If the Eucharist is a foretaste of this banquet, then our table might well reflect our desires. Is our table an exclusive corner table for a select few, or is it a table where all are welcome? God's table in the ministry of Jesus welcomed both the prodigal son and his ungrateful older brother; it welcomed tax collectors, prostitutes, Pharisees, and doubting, denying, betraying disciples.
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