Sent To The World

 

John 17: 11b-19 

Protect Them From Evil

¹¹ I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. ¹² While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

¹³ “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. ¹⁴ I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. ¹⁵ My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. ¹⁶ They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. ¹⁷ Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. ¹⁸ As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. ¹⁹ For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

Many Dioceses celebrate the Ascension of Jesus to heaven, but since we observed it on Thursday we will reflect  on the Gospel for the 7th Sunday of Easter. The Easter Season will end next Sunday on Pentecost.

We hear these consoling words of Jesus, part of his priestly prayer at the Last Supper. In his love for the disciples and us, he prays that we might continue to remain united to him as he sends us into the world to continue teaching about and spreading the Kingdom of God. With the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and despite human frailty, his followers have done that and we try as best we can to continue living out this mission. We know it's beyond just human capability and talent, so we relay on the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit to help us.  Together we can do it. We need to pray daily for the grace to be faithful and faith-filled bearers and teachers of the Word. Let us take more time for prayer today, the Lord's Day, to strengthen our faith and carry out our mission faithfully and zealously.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, thank you for calling me to be one of your disciples. Send me your Spirit that I might carry out my mission faithfully and zealously. Amen.