June 5, 2025 // Memorial of Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr

Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: John 17:20-26

Reflect on the Word //

I used to struggle with lectio divina, a practice of reading, engaging with, and praying with Scripture. Once I even heard a suggestion to read the verses up to ten times in a row, day after day. No thanks, I thought, that will certainly make my eyes glaze over. I nearly gave up on lectio entirely that day. 

Today is a different story. Often, I start with a simple request: Lord, show me what You want me to know today. Help me to know Your Heart through Your Word. I can’t tell you how many times I read today’s Gospel to really hear what He wanted to highlight. It was well worth it to discover the gift inside these verses, a gift of seeing the love of the Father and Jesus for me.

Jesus prayed for me—and for you!—before His Passion: “I pray [. . .] also for those who will believe in me through their word” (John 17:20). Sister, we are “those who will believe” in Jesus through the teachings of the Church passed down from the Apostles, who heard Jesus pray these words in the Upper Room. I imagine Jesus praying ardently, seeing each one of us as He interceded for our oneness with Him, for our belief, and for us to know His glory. 

What’s more, Jesus’ words reveal how much the Father loves each of us, when He prays that “the world may know that you [. . .] loved them even as you loved me” (John 17:23, emphasis mine). The Father loves us just as He loved Jesus. Remember the words at Jesus’ Baptism? “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). We, too, are beloved daughters of the Father, and He is so pleased when we turn to Him, open our hearts to Him, and follow Him as Jesus did. 

We are so loved, sister. Loved by Jesus Who desires our oneness with Him, loved by the Father Who loves us as His daughters, loved by the Spirit Who opens our hearts to God’s love in the Word. 

Relate to the Lord // Read the Gospel again today. What verse or word does the Holy Spirit highlight for you?