Jesus prayed:

20 "Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me. 22 The glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one; 23 I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me, and loved them, even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory, which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 Righteous Father, the world hasn’t known you, but I knew you; and these knew that you sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and will make it known; that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

John 17:20-26 - World English Bible

In John 17, Jesus spoke of unity and glory. His glory had two aspects: visual and auditory. The disciples saw the Risen Christ appear before them; the stories of his appearance boosted his reputation among the people. They beheld his glory (in terms of light, like the Transfiguration) and they eagerly spoke about him with anyone who would listen. Glory, then, depended upon what one saw and heard.

Like glory, his unity had two aspects, mystical and communal. One described the first type in the language of ecstasy: visions, speaking in tongues and emotional states of bliss. One described the second type in the language of consensus: common purpose and agreed action. The focal point for both aspects of unity was the Risen Christ. In the gospels, Jesus usually appeared to groups, not individuals (except for Mary Magdalene in John 20:14-17 and Paul/Ananias in Acts 9:1-16), to give them the commission of spreading the Good News. The gifts of the Spirit (especially in 1 Corinthians 12:8-11) were meant for the life of the community and for evangelization. In other words, while members sought mystical union, God extended such intimacy for the good of others. The Lord used spiritual ecstasy as a tool to draw humanity closer to him.

In 17:26, Jesus melded glory and unity together in one word: love. The reason the Father sent the Son to die and rise, to call a community of disciples together for his Son, to empower these followers through his Spirit, could be summed up in his desire to love the world.

Where do you see or hear of God's love in your life today?