A reading according to the Holy Gospel of John (17:20-26)

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying:
“Holy Father, I pray not only for them,
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.”

Before you just read and run off (it’s so easy to do on a busy day), take your “paws to pray” on the second line of what Jesus said. He asked that God the Father not only pray for the people present with Him but for those who will hear those people’s words – that through their words, others would know Jesus.

Take a minute or two to meditate while listening to today’s Gospel. Really visualize situations you commonly encounter that you could consciously choose to use words that would have you embody Jesus for others. If we plan ahead of time, it is easier to know the best way to respond in some circumstances that are routine. And then through consistent practice, it becomes more than just a habit but, rather, a part of our character.