The Gospel today  captures Jesus' High Priestly Prayer before the Passion. It redefines eternal life not as endless time, but as an intimate, loving relationship with God. Jesus acknowledges  that His earthly mission is complete, praying  to be restored to His heavenly glory, and entrusting  His followers to the Father’s protection.

Eternal life is to know God and Jesus. What if it is that simple? How would that change what we imagine in this life? How would it affect our thoughts about and beliefs in our future life with God? How does this change even our picture of God?

Of course, what it means to “know” God is key.   Knowing God is synonymous with being in a relationship with God.

In a world of many religions, it is tempting to reduce knowing God to information. We can compare and contrast religions. When this happens, we end up knowing information about God. We can list His attributes. We can explain His teachings. We can classify His works.

But God the Father has sent His Son among us that we might not stand on the side-lines, compare religions, and decide which one we want to follow. No, Christ has come so we might experience His claim upon our lives, be known by Him, forgiven by Him, and raised to new life in Him.

Jesus has come that we might know God, not from a distance, but from His personal intervention in our lives.

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