As we continue our Decade of Mission 2026 on our journey toward Pentecost, today we reflect on Christ’s prayer for unity and the sacrificial love that holds marriages and families together.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus lifts His eyes to the Father and prays not only for His apostles, but also for all who will believe in Him through their witness — including us.
And what does Christ ask for?
“That they may be one as We are one” (John 17:22).
Today’s reflection is offered by Fr. Andriy Werbowy,
who reminds us that the unity Christ desires is much deeper than simply avoiding conflict. It is unity born from love, trust, sacrifice, and truth.
Jesus says:
“The glory which You gave Me I have given them.”
In the Gospel of John, this “glory” is not earthly success or outward honor. It is the love of God revealed most perfectly on the Cross — a love that gives itself completely for others.
This is the same love to which every Christian family is called.
In the Sacrament of Marriage, husband and wife are crowned with “glory and honor,” becoming participants in God’s own love:
• a love that sacrifices,
• forgives,
• serves,
• remains faithful,
• and seeks unity even in difficulties.
True family unity does not mean there are never disagreements or struggles. Rather, it means:
• not losing love during conflict,
• seeking truth together instead of personal victory,
• and protecting the relationship above pride.
The greatest danger for a family is not hardship itself, but allowing love to grow cold, trust to disappear, and hearts to become closed to one another.
Christ reminds us today that real unity is possible only when families remain rooted in His sacrificial love.
Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski continues to encourage all faithful of our Eparchy to strengthen unity within their families during these Mission Days through prayer, forgiveness, patience, and love rooted in Christ.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
Friday, May 22
“The glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one as We are one”
John 17:18–26
Reflection by Fr. Andriy Werbowy
📺 Please find today’s video reflection below:
https://youtu.be/WKAxlvynS5Q
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
Missionary Tasks for Today:
- Personal level:
Seek unity, forgiveness, and truth in your relationships rather than personal victory or pride. - Parish level:
Help build a parish community where families can grow in love, faithfulness, reconciliation, and mutual support. - Mission level:
Witness to the world that true unity is born from Christ’s sacrificial love and that the Christian family is a living icon of God’s love.
May Christ preserve our families in unity and peace.
May His sacrificial love strengthen every marriage and heal every wounded heart.
And may the Holy Spirit help us remain one in faith, hope, and love.