Different kinds and levels of prayer are seen in today's scriptures. How Jesus' disciples, after His Ascension, returned to the upper room where they were staying. There they "joined in continuous prayer," with several women including Mary. Then Peter focuses on sharing the sufferings of Jesus, as prelude to sharing His glory. The most sublime prayer and sharing of all is presented in St John's gospel - Jesus' prayer with His Father. It's part of Jesus' farewell to His disciples at the start of His passion. But it fits the time of the Risen Christ too, for it's really timeless and for all time. Like the gospel's prologue, Jesus' words in this ch.17 also give an over-view, an 'eternal' vision of His mission. His words sum up who He is, why He came among us and what He has done. "Eternal life is this: to know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." Jesus' prayer to His Father is a joyous thanksgiving into which He draws each of us to whom He's brought the light and life and love of God. Sharing God's glory, He prays for His own, those whom the Father entrusted to Him, and who have believed in His name. As He 'goes away' to the Father, it's us He prays for, because He loves us so much. The intensity and intimacy of Jesus' prayer with His Father may seem beyond our power and strength, yet even in human affairs people can base their whole lives of waiting and hoping in faith on words spoken by an absent loved one, "I love you." This Jesus says to us.