Feast of Saint Boniface, Bishop, Martyr

It’s hard to believe that my husband, Bill, and I have been married for over 30 years now. I still remember our wedding day vividly, as well as our wedding vows. I took Bill (and he took me) to have and to hold from that day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part. On that day, God joined us together, and the two of us became one flesh. It hasn’t always been easy, but the bond that forged us together as one has kept us committed to one another through the good times and the bad.

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus specifically prays for each of us: “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word [that’s us!!!], so that they may all be one, as you Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us…” (John 17:20-21). Jesus’ prayer is like my wedding vows from so many years ago. Jesus prays that we will all be one, just as he is one with the Father, so that the world may know that the Father sent Jesus to us and that he loves us just as he loves his son, Jesus.

In a letter to Ms. Stephanie Gourd on August 27, 1867, Saint Peter Julian Eymard wrote, “In real love, we need to forget ourselves, achieve a life of union in our Lord by deep awareness of the heart. That is not tiring and can harmonize with everything else.”

Let us draw strength from our union with the Lord, especially through the Eucharist, to help us live in unity, harmony, and mutual respect with every person we encounter today.

Let Us Pray:

Christ Jesus, through the power of the Eucharist, overcome our divisions. Give us sincere hearts that make us open, not closed, and willing to encounter, ready to listen. In your broken body, given for all, may we find unity and peace in you. Amen.