May 11, 2016Wednesday 7th Week of Easter 1st Reading: Acts 20:28–38 Gospel: Jn17:11–19
Jesus prayed, “I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world whereas I am going to you. Holy Father, keep them in your Name (that you have given me,) so that they may be one, just as we are.
When I was with them, I kept them safe in your Name, and not one was lost except the one who was already lost, and in this the Scripture was fulfilled. But now I am coming to you and I leave these my words in the world that my joy may be complete in them. 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. I do not ask you to remove them from the world but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world; consecrate them in the truth—your word is truth.“I have sent them into the world as you sent me into the world, and for their sake, I go to the sacrifice by which I am consecrated, so that they too may be consecrated in truth.”
D@iGITAL-EXPERIENCE
(Daily Gospel in the
Assimilated Life
Experience)
In today’s Gospel reading Jesus prayed for the unity and protection of his disciples while in this world. If we relate this prayer to John 15:5 where Jesus talked about himself as the vine and his disciples the branches, we understand that Jesus wanted his disciples not only to be united among themselves but also with him.
After praying for unity Jesus made an accounting to the Father. “When I was with them”, Jesus reported, “I kept them safe in your Name, and not one was lost except the one who was already lost, and in this the Scripture was fulfilled” (John 17: 12). Obviously he was referring to Judas as the lost one. Judas’ perdition cannot be charged against Jesus’ stewardship as shepherd because of heaven’s standing policy that human freedom be given highest respect. Judas chose the path to damnation. Jesus had to respect his decision.
After this accounting, Jesus consecrated his disciples in truth. He then talked about going to the sacrifice by which he was consecrated. It appears that consecration in truth was closely related to consecration in suffering. Truth hurts, and whoever promotes the truth hurts the world and earns the world’s ire. Jesus himself – the Truth and the Life – ended up crucified by the same people he wanted to give life back to.
As evangelizers we face the same risk of earning the world’s ire. But we must not be scared because Jesus had prayed for us just as he prayed for his disciples. We only need to remain united among ourselves and united with him. Apart from him we can do nothing. – (Atty.) Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., DM. Email:dan.delosangeles@gmail.com.
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