Sanctify Them In Truth

 

  John 17:11b-19

 That They May Be One

¹¹ And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. ¹² While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. ¹³ But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. ¹⁴ I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁵ I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.¹⁶ They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁷ Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. ¹⁸ As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. ¹⁹ And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

We continue with the "Priestly Prayer" of John 17 in which Jesus expresses his deep love and desire for unity with us. As he was hated and pursued by the powers of evil, so too will his followers be; he prays that his Father "keep them from the evil one" (Jn 17: 15) who works against them from outside as well as from within. We know of the persecutions the of the Apostles and early Church as well as throughout its history.  Recently and sadly, reports of sin and corruption within the Church have come to light in the multiple cases of child sex abuse by the clergy. A report of  nearly 2 thousand cases has just been made public in Illinois. Jesus prayed for his followers and consecrated himself that they (we) also may be sanctified in truth.  Let us continue that prayer for the victims, the victimizers and ourselves, that we may be made holy in the Truth, live the ideals of the Gospel and not fall prey to the lies of the Evil One.

Bro. Rene 

Dear God, grant us the vision and grace to accept your desire that we  live and love as you did. Forgive our failures and help us to be holy in your Truth. Amen.

Bro. Rene