May 21, 2026

Gospel Reflection: You are a Gift

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Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter

“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.” John 17:24

You are the Father’s gift to Jesus the Son. What an amazing reality to understand!

This profound truth is at the heart of today’s Gospel in which Jesus speaks of the unique and intimate relationship between the Father, the Son, and all those who believe in Him.

Today’s Gospel continues Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer, offered to the Father at the conclusion of the Last Supper, marking His final words recorded in John’s Gospel before the beginning of His Passion. This beautiful prayer encapsulates Jesus’ entire mission and identity, expressing His deep intimacy with the Father and His longing for unity between Himself, the Father, and all those who believe in Him. Through this prayer, Jesus reveals the nature of His relationship with the Father, the unity He desires for His followers, and the eternal glory that is to come for those who are united in Him.

The line above not only expresses intimacy between the Father and the Son but also incorporates all the faithful into that intimate relationship. This was and is Jesus’ mission. His love for and union with the Father existed from all eternity. Nothing could change that perfect love. It was, is, and always will be a love so deep and strong that God, in His eternal love, chose to create us to share in that love. Though this love is completely gratuitous on God’s part, freely given and unmerited by us, it’s beautiful to hear Jesus speak of our invitation into the love He shares with the Father as the Father’s gift to the Son. We are not seen as estranged or separate but as gifts freely given and received.

In everyday language, a “present” is understood as something that is expected from another, such as on a birthday. In theological terms, a “gift” carries a richer meaning. A gift is something given freely, without expectation of return, and signifies the giver’s love and goodness. A gift, in this sense, is a manifestation of divine love and generosity. It’s not simply an exchange of material items, but a relational exchange—a movement of love between the giver and the receiver. The Father and the Son’s exchange of love is so perfect that everything they have is entirely given to the other, without reservation or expectation of anything in return. This eternal giving and receiving of love is the foundation of the divine communion between them, and it is from that love that the Holy Spirit—the expression of their shared perfect love—proceeds. As Saint Augustine teaches, “And the Holy Spirit, according to the Holy Scriptures, is neither of the Father alone, nor of the Son alone, but of both; and so intimates to us a mutual love, wherewith the Father and the Son reciprocally love one another” (On the Trinity XV.17.27).

Again, you are part of that love, making you both the Father’s gift of love to the Son and the Son’s gift of love to the Father, because Their love—the Holy Spirit—dwells within you. What a privilege that is! Understanding this loving reality reveals the dignity that each of us has when we are in a state of grace and transformed into gifts given out of love between the divine persons. This mystical and profound language is essential to ponder, especially because it permeates John’s Gospel and reveals the heart of God’s love for us.

Reflect today on how you are the Father’s gift to the Son and the Son’s gift to the Father, made possible by the gift of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Though we do nothing on our own to merit such dignity, this is the reality into which we are invited. On our part, we must cooperate with grace so that God transforms our souls into gifts of increasing glory and beauty. The more we cooperate with God’s grace, the more glorious a gift we become. Though Heaven will be an eternal existence where each saint delights in the Beatific Vision, it is important to understand that each of us will cause eternal delights in the hearts of the Most Holy Trinity. They will look upon us and see us as gifts given to each of them, resulting in an unending outpouring of divine love. The mystery is great. Reflect on it, meditate on it deeply, and rejoice that you are called to such a life.

Most Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—You are a perfect communion of divine Love. Your love is so great, so perfect, so strong, that You have willed to draw me into Your very life, making me a gift of Your love to each other. I thank You for this unfathomable gift and ask the Holy Spirit to dwell within me so that Your mutual self-giving may be glorious. Jesus, I trust in You.

Audio recording: https://youtu.be/Bo34umbv4PY?si=zCLzUQQ7Eo6-8Yf5