Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Jn 17: 11b-19
May 24, 2023 | Wednesday

Today’s Gospel

I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I come to you. Holy Father, keep those you have given me in your name, so that they may be one, as we also 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. And now I come to you; in the world I speak these things, so that those whom you gave me, might have joy—all my joy within themselves.

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.

In today’s loving and tender passage from John, Jesus prayed for all the people (including us) whom God has entrusted to His care. Jesus realized that His time on earth was short, and He was concerned about the people He would be leaving behind. Jesus prayed and asked His Father to protect these individuals “in his name.” Jesus longed for His flock to be kept safe even after His departure.

Clearly, Jesus loved His disciples. He longed for them to share his joy fully and completely. Jesus knew that He would be leaving them, and He wanted them to be safe and secure in God’s love and care for them. Jesus also longed for His disciples to share the depth of joy that He experienced in being One with God. Take a moment and remember a time when you experienced a sense of closeness or oneness with God or Jesus. Do you remember the time or place? What were the emotions you experienced? Joy? Peace? Love? Awe? Jesus longs to share His peace, His joy, and His truth with us today. Are we open to receiving these gifts? If so, I invite you to
sit quietly in Jesus’ presence with an open mind, heart, and hands. . . and wait. Jesus will come and gift you. Let us learn to be patient./Vulnerasti, 2023