Diocesan Commission on Deaf Ministry of San Jose de Antique

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25/05/2026

May 26, 2026
Tuesday,
8th Week in Ordinary Time
St. Philip Neri, priest

Reading 1
(1 Peter 1:10-16)

Beloved:
Concerning the salvation of your souls
the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours
searched and investigated it
investigating the time and circumstances
that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated
when it testified in advance
to the sufferings destined for Christ
and the glories to follow them.
It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you
with regard to the things that have now been announced to you
by those who preached the Good News to you
through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven,
things into which angels longed to look.

Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly,
and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you
at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Like obedient children,
do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance
but, as he who called you is holy,
be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct,
for it is written, Be holy because I am holy.

Responsorial Psalm
(Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4)

R. (2a) The Lord has made known his salvation.

Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.

R. The Lord has made known his salvation.

The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.

R. The Lord has made known his salvation.

All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.

R. The Lord has made known his salvation.

Alleluia
(See Matthew 11:25)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
(Mark 10:28-31)

Peter began to say to Jesus,
"We have given up everything and followed you."
Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you,
there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters
or mother or father or children or lands
for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel
who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age:
houses and brothers and sisters
and mothers and children and lands,
with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.
But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first."

Reflection:

Each Has A Unique Calling From God

Mark 10:28–31 reminds us of Peter’s words: “We have given up everything and followed you.” Jesus answers with a promise that whatever is surrendered for Him will never be lost in God’s hands. Yet He also reminds us that discipleship is not about comparing journeys: “Many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

As we enter once again into the Ordinary Time of our liturgical calendar, we are reminded that “ordinary” does not mean unimportant. It is in ordinary days that God quietly calls us and shapes us. Each of us has a unique mission—different paths, different burdens, different gifts, but the same Lord who calls.

A young boy once watched his grandfather plant seeds in different parts of their garden. Curious, he asked, “Lolo, why don’t you plant all the seeds in one place?” The grandfather smiled and said, “Because each seed has its own place to grow. Some need more sunlight, some need shade, some climb, and some bloom close to the ground. If I force them all into one place, some may never become what they were meant to be.”

Years later, the boy remembered those words and realized that God works in the same way. Not everyone is called to stand in front; not everyone is called to the same ministry, profession, or life path. Some are called to lead, some to serve quietly, some to teach, some to comfort, some to heal wounded hearts. God never compares flowers in His garden.

As we begin again our journey through Ordinary Time, perhaps the Lord whispers to us: Do not spend your life wishing for someone else’s calling. Be faithful to the one I entrusted to you. Holiness is not found in becoming somebody else; it is found in becoming the person God created you to be.

And often, the most extraordinary faithfulness is lived in ordinary days.


24/05/2026

May 25, 2026
Monday
The Blessed Virgin Mary,
Mother of the Church

Reading I
(Genesis 3:9-15, 20)

After Adam had eaten of the tree,
the LORD God called to him and asked him, “Where are you?”
He answered, “I heard you in the garden;
but I was afraid, because I was naked,
so I hid myself.”
Then he asked, “Who told you that you were naked?
You have eaten, then,
from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!”
The man replied, “The woman whom you put here with me—
she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it.”
The LORD God then asked the woman,
“Why did you do such a thing?”
The woman answered, “The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it.”

Then the LORD God said to the serpent:
“Because you have done this, you shall be banned
from all the animals
and from all the wild creatures;
On your belly shall you crawl,
and dirt shall you eat
all the days of your life.
I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
He will strike at your head,
while you strike at his heel.”
The man called his wife Eve,
because she became the mother of all the living.

OR:

Acts 1:12-14

After Jesus had been taken up to heaven,
the Apostles returned to Jerusalem
from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem,
a sabbath day’s journey away.

When they entered the city
they went to the upper room where they were staying,
Peter and John and James and Andrew,
Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew,
James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot,
and Judas son of James.
All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer,
together with some women,
and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

Responsorial Psalm
(Psalm 87:1-2, 3 and 5, 6-7)

R. (3) Glorious things are said of you, O city of God!

His foundation upon the holy mountains
the LORD loves:
The gates of Zion,
more than any dwelling of Jacob.

R. Glorious things are said of you, O city of God!

Glorious things are said of you,
O city of God!
And of Zion they shall say:
“One and all were born in her;
And he who has established her
is the Most High LORD.”

R. Glorious things are said of you, O city of God!

They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled:
“This man was born there.”
And all shall sing, in their festive dance:
“My home is within you.”

R. Glorious things are said of you, O city of God!

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
O joyful Virgin, who gave birth to the Lord;
O blessed Mother of the Church,
who nurture in us the Spirit
of your Son Jesus Christ!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
(John 19:25-34)

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother
and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,
and Mary of Magdala.
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved,
he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.”
Then he said to the disciple,
“Behold, your mother.”
And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
After this, aware that everything was now finished,
in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled,
Jesus said, “I thirst.”
There was a vessel filled with common wine.
So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop
and put it up to his mouth.
When Jesus had taken the wine, he said,
“It is finished.”
And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.

Now since it was preparation day,
in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath,
for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one,
the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken
and they be taken down.
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first
and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus.
But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead,
they did not break his legs,
but one soldier thrust his lance into his side,
and immediately Blood and water flowed out.

Reflection:

Mary, A Model For All Believers

A young boy once asked his mother during a stormy night, “Mom, are you afraid?” The mother smiled and said, “Yes, a little. But I know God is with us.” The boy looked at her and replied, “Then I’m not afraid too, because if you trust God, I can trust Him also.”

Children often learn faith not first from books, but from someone who quietly lives it.

In today’s Gospel, Mary stands at the foot of the Cross. She is not preaching. She is not questioning God. She is not running away. She simply remains there—with tears in her eyes and pain in her heart, but with unwavering faith. She stayed when others fled. She trusted when everything seemed lost.

Mary becomes the model for all believers because she teaches us that faith is not only following Jesus when miracles happen; faith is remaining with Him even at Calvary. Real faith does not disappear in suffering. Real faith stays.

At the Cross, Jesus gives Mary to us: “Behold your mother.” He was not only giving John a mother; He was giving every disciple a model of discipleship. Mary teaches us to say “yes” to God, to trust Him in darkness, and to stand faithfully beside Jesus no matter the cost.

Many of us want the joy of Easter, but Mary teaches us first how to stand at the Cross. If we learn to believe as she believed, love as she loved, and remain as she remained, then we too will discover that beyond every cross, resurrection awaits.

May we pray today: Mary, our Mother, teach us to believe when it is difficult, to stay when it is painful, and to love Jesus until the end. Amen.


23/05/2026

May 24, 2026
Pentecost Sunday
Solemn Feast

Reading 1
Acts 2:1-11

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled,
they were all in one place together.
And suddenly there came from the sky
a noise like a strong driving wind,
and it filled the entire house in which they were.
Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,
which parted and came to rest on each one of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak in different tongues,
as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven
staying in Jerusalem.
At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd,
but they were confused
because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
They were astounded, and in amazement they asked,
"Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans?
Then how does each of us hear them in his native language?
We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites,
inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia,
Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia,
Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene,
as well as travelers from Rome,
both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs,
yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues
of the mighty acts of God."

Responsorial Psalm
(Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34)

R. (cf. 30) Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
How manifold are your works, O LORD!
the earth is full of your creatures;

R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
may the LORD be glad in his works!
Pleasing to him be my theme;
I will be glad in the LORD.

R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

If you take away their breath, they perish
and return to their dust.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth.

R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Reading 2
(1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13)

Brothers and sisters:
No one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;
there are different forms of service but the same Lord;
there are different workings but the same God
who produces all of them in everyone.
To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit
is given for some benefit.

As a body is one though it has many parts,
and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,
so also Christ.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body,
whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons,
and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.

Sequence — Veni, Sancte Spiritus
Come, Holy Spirit, come!
And from your celestial home
Shed a ray of light divine!

Come, Father of the poor!
Come, source of all our store!
Come, within our bosoms shine.

You, of comforters the best;
You, the soul’s most welcome guest;
Sweet refreshment here below;

In our labor, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.

O most blessed Light divine,
Shine within these hearts of yours,
And our inmost being fill!

Where you are not, we have naught,
Nothing good in deed or thought,
Nothing free from taint of ill.

Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away:

Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.

On the faithful, who adore
And confess you, evermore
In your sevenfold gift descend;

Give them virtue’s sure reward;
Give them your salvation, Lord;
Give them joys that never end. Amen.
Alleluia.

Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
(John 20:19-23)

On the evening of that first day of the week,
when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,
for fear of the Jews,
Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, "Peace be with you."
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you."
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
"Receive the Holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,
and whose sins you retain are retained."

Reflection:

“As The Father Has Sent Me, So I Send You.”

In John 20:19–23, the disciples were gathered behind locked doors—afraid, uncertain, and wounded after everything that happened to Jesus. Yet the first thing Jesus did was not to scold them for their fear. He stood among them, gave them peace, and then said: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” He was telling them: I trusted you before your fear disappeared. I send you not because you are perfect, but because you are loved.

A young boy once watched his father repair fishing nets by the shore. One day the father handed him a small torn net and said, “Help me fix this.” The boy looked at it and said, “But Papa, I don’t know how. I might make it worse.” The father smiled and answered, “I know. But I’m sending you not because you know everything. I’m sending you because I will teach you.”

The boy slowly began tying knots. They were not perfect. Some were loose, some uneven. But his father stayed beside him, guiding his hands. At sunset, the father placed his arm around him and said, “You see? You learned because you were willing to begin.”

That is how God works with us. Many times we say, “Lord, I’m not ready. I’m weak. I still have fears.” Yet Jesus still says, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” He sends parents to love their families, teachers to form young minds, priests to shepherd God’s people, and every Christian to bring hope and kindness into the world.

Jesus does not wait for us to become perfect before sending us. He sends us and then walks beside us. The mission is never carried by our strength alone; it is carried by His presence and His Spirit.

So whenever you feel unworthy or afraid, remember this: God does not only call the prepared; He also prepares those He calls.


22/05/2026

May 23, 2026
Saturday,
7th Week of Easter

Reading 1
(Acts 28:16-20, 30-31)

When he entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself,
with the soldier who was guarding him.

Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews.
When they had gathered he said to them, "My brothers,
although I had done nothing against our people
or our ancestral customs,
I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem.
After trying my case the Romans wanted to release me,
because they found nothing against me deserving the death penalty.
But when the Jews objected, I was obliged to appeal to Caesar,
even though I had no accusation to make against my own nation.
This is the reason, then, I have requested to see you
and to speak with you, for it is on account of the hope of Israel
that I wear these chains."

He remained for two full years in his lodgings.
He received all who came to him, and with complete assurance
and without hindrance he proclaimed the Kingdom of God
and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Responsorial Psalm
(Psalm 11:4, 5 and 7)

R. (see 7b) The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD's throne is in heaven.
His eyes behold,
his searching glance is on mankind.

R. The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

The LORD searches the just and the wicked;
the lover of violence he hates.
For the LORD is just, he loves just deeds;
the upright shall see his face.

R. The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia
(John 16:7, 13)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I will send to you the Spirit of truth, says the Lord;
he will guide you to all truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
(John 21:20-25)

Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved,
the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper
and had said, "Master, who is the one who will betray you?"
When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about him?"
Jesus said to him, "What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is it of yours?
You follow me."
So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die.
But Jesus had not told him that he would not die,
just "What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is it of yours?"

It is this disciple who testifies to these things
and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.
There are also many other things that Jesus did,
but if these were to be described individually,
I do not think the whole world would contain the books
that would be written.

Reflection:

What Concern Is It Of Yours?

A man once planted two mango trees beside his home. Every morning he would water them. As years passed, one tree grew tall quickly and began bearing fruit early. The other remained smaller and seemed slow to grow.

The man began worrying. “Why is this tree behind? Why can’t it become like the other one?” Day after day he compared them. One morning an elderly farmer passing by smiled and said, “Stop looking at one tree while forgetting the other. They are not competing. Each has its own roots, its own season, and its own purpose.”

Months later, the smaller tree began producing sweeter fruit than anyone expected.

In today’s Gospel, Peter looked at John and asked Jesus about him. Peter wanted to know, “What will happen to this man?” But Jesus answered, “What concern is it of yours? Follow me.”

How often we do the same. We compare our lives with others: Why is their family happier? Why are they more successful? Why does their ministry seem easier? Why is their path smoother than mine? Comparison quietly steals joy and distracts us from the path God has prepared for us.

Jesus reminds us today: “Do not be preoccupied with someone else’s journey. Follow me.” God does not ask us to live another person’s calling. He asks us to be faithful in our own.

The Lord writes a different story for every heart. Our task is not to compare pages, but to trust the Author.

And perhaps today Jesus is looking at us with love and gently saying: “Do not worry about others. I have a path for you. Follow me.”


21/05/2026

May 22, 2026
Friday
7th Week of Easter
St. Rita of Cassia, religious

Reading 1
(Acts 25:13b-21)

King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea
on a visit to Festus.
Since they spent several days there,
Festus referred Paul's case to the king, saying,
"There is a man here left in custody by Felix.
When I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jews
brought charges against him and demanded his condemnation.
I answered them that it was not Roman practice
to hand over an accused person before he has faced his accusers
and had the opportunity to defend himself against their charge.
So when they came together here, I made no delay;
the next day I took my seat on the tribunal
and ordered the man to be brought in.
His accusers stood around him,
but did not charge him with any of the crimes I suspected.
Instead they had some issues with him about their own religion
and about a certain Jesus who had died
but who Paul claimed was alive.
Since I was at a loss how to investigate this controversy,
I asked if he were willing to go to Jerusalem
and there stand trial on these charges.
And when Paul appealed that he be held in custody
for the Emperor's decision,
I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar."

Responsorial Psalm
(Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab)

R. (19a) The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.

R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia.

For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.

R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia.

The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
Bless the LORD, all you his angels,
you mighty in strength, who do his bidding.

R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia
(John 14:26)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Holy Spirit will teach you everything
and remind you of all I told you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
(John 21:15-19)

After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them,
he said to Simon Peter,
"Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs."
He then said to Simon Peter a second time,
"Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
He said to him, "Tend my sheep."
He said to him the third time,
"Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time,
"Do you love me?" and he said to him,
"Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you."
Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.
Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger,
you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted;
but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands,
and someone else will dress you
and lead you where you do not want to go."
He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.
And when he had said this, he said to him, "Follow me."

Reflection:

Going Beyond One’s Limitations

A young boy in a small barrio loved joining basketball games with older children. He was small, often missed his shots, and many times he went home discouraged. One afternoon he told his father, “Tay, maybe I’m not good enough.” His father smiled and handed him a small plant in a pot. He said, “Look at this plant. The pot limits its roots. But if you plant it in the ground, it can grow bigger than you imagine.”

Years later the boy remembered those words. The limits were not always in his body or abilities; sometimes they were in his fear.

In today’s Gospel, Peter also faced his limitations. He had denied Jesus three times. He had failed. He knew his weakness and perhaps thought he was no longer worthy. But Jesus did not focus on Peter’s failures. Instead, three times Jesus asked, “Do you love me?” Then He entrusted him with a mission: “Feed my sheep.”

Jesus saw beyond Peter’s weakness. Peter saw his failures; Jesus saw his future. Peter saw his limitations; Jesus saw the shepherd he could become.

Many of us also carry our own “pots” — I am too old… I am not good enough… I have failed too many times… I am weak. But Jesus does not call perfect people; He calls willing hearts. Grace often begins where our strength ends.

The Lord does not ask, “Are you strong enough?” He asks, “Do you love me?” Love has a way of taking us beyond what we thought we could do.

Today Jesus looks at us with the same eyes He turned toward Peter and says: “Do not remain imprisoned by your limitations. Walk with me, and I will lead you where you never thought you could go.”


20/05/2026

May 21, 2026
Thursday
7th Week of Easter
St. Christopher Magallanes & companions, martyrs

Reading 1
(Acts 22:30; 23:6-11)

Wishing to determine the truth
about why Paul was being accused by the Jews,
the commander freed him
and ordered the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to convene.
Then he brought Paul down and made him stand before them.

Paul was aware that some were Sadducees and some Pharisees,
so he called out before the Sanhedrin,
"My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees;
I am on trial for hope in the resurrection of the dead."
When he said this,
a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees,
and the group became divided.
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection
or angels or spirits,
while the Pharisees acknowledge all three.
A great uproar occurred,
and some scribes belonging to the Pharisee party
stood up and sharply argued,
"We find nothing wrong with this man.
Suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?"
The dispute was so serious that the commander,
afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them,
ordered his troops to go down and rescue Paul from their midst
and take him into the compound.
The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage.
For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem,
so you must also bear witness in Rome."

Responsorial Psalm
(Psalm 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11)

R. (1) Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, "My Lord are you."
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.

R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.

I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.

R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,
my body, too, abides in confidence;
Because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world,
nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.

R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.

You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.

R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia
(John 17:21)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
May they all be one as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
that the world may believe that you sent me, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
(John 17:20-26)

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying:
"I pray not only for these,
but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
so that they may all be one,
as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
that they also may be in us,
that the world may believe that you sent me.
And I have given them the glory you gave me,
so that they may be one, as we are one,
I in them and you in me,
that they may be brought to perfection as one,
that the world may know that you sent me,
and that you loved them even as you loved me.
Father, they are your gift to me.
I wish that where I am they also may be with me,
that they may see my glory that you gave me,
because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Righteous Father, the world also does not know you,
but I know you, and they know that you sent me.
I made known to them your name and I will make it known,
that the love with which you loved me
may be in them and I in them."

Homily: “That They May Be One” (John 17:20–26)

In today’s Gospel, Jesus raises His eyes to heaven and prays, “that they may all be one.” Before His suffering and death, Jesus did not pray for success, power, or comfort for His disciples. He prayed for unity. He knew that a divided heart, a divided family, and a divided community can easily lose peace and lose God.

A story is told of an elderly father in a small Philippine barrio who noticed that his children had grown distant from one another. Small misunderstandings turned into silence. During a family gathering, he handed each child a single stick and asked them to break it. They easily did. Then he tied several sticks together and asked them to break the bundle. They tried but could not.

The father smiled gently and said, “Alone, you can easily be broken. Together, you become stronger.”

Years later, after the father had died, the children remembered that lesson. They reconciled with one another because they realized that love is stronger than pride.

Jesus longs for that same unity among us—not merely being together physically, but being united in forgiveness, understanding, and love. Unity does not mean we always think alike or never disagree. It means we choose love over ego, reconciliation over resentment, and communion over division.

Today Jesus still prays for us. Imagine that: among His last prayers was a prayer for you and me. And His prayer remains: “Father, that they may be one.”

May we become the answer to Jesus’ prayer in our families, our parish, and our communities. Amen.


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