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Jn 17:11b-19
[Raising his eyes to heaven, Jesus said,] 11“Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are. 12When 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. 13But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. 14I 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. 15I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one. 16They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. 17Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. 18As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. 19And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”
Reflection:
I guarded them, and none of them was lost. Jesus prays to the Father for his disciples that they be holy. They are to be like Jesus who has done what he should do, kept those entrusted to his care, obeyed the Father’s will, and offered himself to fulfill his mission. Jesus prays to the Father to care for, watch over, and look after the disciples.
Jesus does not pray that we become rich and famous, that we earn many degrees and titles, and that we assume power and authority. He prays that we be holy and that the Father take care of us. And the Father indeed looks after us with love, compassion, and forgiveness. The Father guides us, guards us, and strengthens us in our journey to him.
As we fulfill our Christian duties, we should not fear ridicule even from persons who are dear to us. We should not give up even when threatened with the cross and crucifixion. We should take courage from the assurance of Jesus praying for us and of the Father looking after us. Jesus is interceding for us with the Father. We have nothing to fear.
How do we respond to the prayer of Jesus for us to the Father?
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