" I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth." (Jn 17:19)
READING OF THE DAY
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 20:28-38
At Miletus, Paul spoke to the presbyters of the Church of Ephesus:
“Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock
of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers,
in which you tend the Church of God
that he acquired with his own Blood.
I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you,
and they will not spare the flock.
And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth
to draw the disciples away after them.
So be vigilant and remember that for three years, night and day,
I unceasingly admonished each of you with tears.
And now I commend you to God
and to that gracious word of his that can build you up
and give you the inheritance among all who are consecrated.
I have never wanted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.
You know well that these very hands
have served my needs and my companions.
In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort
we must help the weak,
and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said,
‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
When he had finished speaking
he knelt down and prayed with them all.
They were all weeping loudly
as they threw their arms around Paul and kissed him,
for they were deeply distressed that he had said
that they would never see his face again.
Then they escorted him to the ship.
GOSPEL OF THE DAY
From the Gospel according to John
Jn 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.”
WEDNESDAY OF THE SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTER - Jn 17:11b-19
THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
Dear People of God
Today's Word of God reports about Jesus praying and talking to God the Father like two people facing each other. During the conversation, what did Jesus say to the Father?
- First, Jesus offered all His disciples to God the Father. He asked God the Father to protect, preserve, and let them know how to unite as one like us. The word ‘We’ refers to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit; the Three Persons unite into one. Now, Jesus Christ also asks God the Father to send the grace and the Holy Spirit to unite His disciples and His Church today, to know how to come together into one like the Holy Trinity.
- Second, He offered all His disciples to God the Father. May God the Father protect His disciples, as well as His children, from evil spirits and from the controlling power of Satan. But, Jesus did not ask God the Father to take away from His disciples the difficulties and challenges brought by the world.
Therefore, life on this earth is a long spiritual battle against the forces of darkness, until God comes a second time to save people. This spiritual battle is also to test man's loyalty to God the Father. However, God always gives His own grace, power, and strength to His disciples, as well as all His children, to keep them from the forces of darkness and against the power of Satan. But people must also respond to His invitations and instructions, by listening and following God's Word taught through the Ten Commandments, summarized in two things, which Jesus Himself came to earth to fulfill, which is loving God above all things and loving others as ourselves.
God gives power and strength to protect humans from the evil forces, but humans must also respond with obedience and sacrifice themselves to God the Father. Become conformed to Christ, become servants of God the Father like Christ, the Teacher of each person. Only then can we fight the power of Satan.
God invites all disciples: to trust and be faithful in God, because just like Jesus was hated by the world when He obeyed God the Father, bringing God the Father's word down to teach humanity. Now, all those who are living and following God's teachings will also be hated by the world. But do not be afraid of the world's powers! Fear God and obey God's teachings. Then we will be happy with God the Father in Heaven.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
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