A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John (17:11b-19)
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying:
“Holy Father, keep them in your name
that you have given me,
so that they may be one just as we are one.
When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me,
and I guarded them, and none of them was lost
except the son of destruction,
in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
But now I am coming to you.
I speak this in the world
so that they may share my joy completely.
I gave them your word, and the world hated them,
because they do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
I do not ask that you take them out of the world
but that you keep them from the Evil One.
They do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
Consecrate them in the truth.
Your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world,
so I sent them into the world.
And I consecrate myself for them,
so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”
Reflection: My brothers and sisters in Christ, when we read, or hear today’s Gospel Reading, it’s pretty clear, that it is a prayer from Jesus to the Father. Jesus’ prayer was for those who were with Him, at the Last Supper Room. He prays, that they always be in communion with God, and for their protection from the evil, that surrounds them every day. Like ourselves, they are to find closeness with God, and protection from harm, even in the midst of the world.
Jesus prays to the Father for Himself, and also prays to the Father, for us. That is great! However, we too, need to pray for ourselves, because we are not of the world, as Jesus says; “They do not belong to the world…”. Thus, Jesus asks the Father to protect us from evil, and sanctify us in His truth, saying; “…so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”
I have a lot to pray, for myself. At times I tend to react, letting my cup overflow, with worldly issues and temptations, rather than pray, to allow the Lord to transform my heart, and fill my cup with His peace—emptying out my worldly distractions, so that my cup can be continually filled, with the Lord. Prayer is our vital lifeline, keeping our hearts tethered to God, as we carry out Christ’s mission, in a frequently hostile world. We Are Sent, Not Removed, Jesus explicitly tells the Father, “I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one.” Our Catholic faith is never meant to be hidden away in a sterile bubble. We live, work, and interact in our places of living, and beyond. Because we are immersed in the complexities of the world, we face daily spiritual battles, that test our patience, morality, and PEACE. Prayer is our spiritual armor, ensuring we remain in the world without, adopting its brief values.
Daily prayer is the mechanism, through which we allow God’s Word, to shape our consciences. It strips away the secular noise, and grounds us in Christ’s, absolute truth. Without it, we risk, losing our moral compass, and spiritual focus.
Just before concluding this High Priestly Prayer, Jesus states, “As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world.” We are His hands, feet, AND voice. Yet, we cannot give to others, what we do not have. Prayer is the time, we spend sitting with our Lord—in the Daily Readings, Eucharistic Adoration, or quiet conversation. It is moments like these, how we receive His grace, courage, and love, that enables us to fulfill our mission, as His disciples, to be His hands, feet, AND voice.
P.S. In case you’re thinking, of who is Jesus referring to in His prayer; “…and none of them was lost except the son of destruction…” Jesus is referring to, Judas Esceriot.
Action for the day: Today, when you feel overwhelmed by the demands of life, or exhausted by secular pressures, remember that Jesus has already prayed for your strength. However, you and I, must also pray to the Father, because it is through this intimate communion, that we remain united with Him, protected from spiritual harm, and empowered, to shine His light brightly into the world.
Audio Reflection:
