WEDNESDAY OF THE SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTER - Gospel (John 17:11b-19) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are.” (Jn 17:11b) 

FIRST READING - Acts 20:28-38

A reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles

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 - 17:11b-19

From the Gospel according to John

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 - Gospel (John 17:11b-19)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

Today’s Word of God speaks about Jesus praying and talking to God the Father, as two persons in intimate conversation. What did Jesus say to God the Father?

• First, Jesus offered all His disciples to God the Father. He asked God the Father to protect them, to keep them safe, and to help them become one as “We are one.” The word “We” refers to the unity of the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit—three Persons in one God. Right now, Jesus Christ continues to ask God the Father to grant grace and the Holy Spirit to unite His disciples and His Church, so that they may know how to be one, just as the Trinity is one.

• Second, He offered all His disciples to God the Father. He asked God the Father to protect them—and all His children—from evil spirits and the power of Satan. However, Jesus did not ask God the Father to take away the difficulties and challenges that come from living in the world.

Therefore, life on this earth is a continuous spiritual battle against the forces of darkness, lasting until God returns a second time to save humanity. This spiritual battle also serves as a test of humanity’s loyalty to God the Father. Yet, God continuously bestows His grace, power, and strength upon His disciples—and all His children—to protect them from the powers of darkness and Satan.

But humanity must also respond to God's call by listening to and following His teachings—especially those found in the Ten Commandments, which Jesus came to fulfill. These commandments are summed up in two essential teachings: to love God above all things and to love others as oneself. God gives power and strength to protect humanity from evil, but humanity must also respond through obedience, trust, and self-sacrifice to God the Father.

We are called to become conformed to Christ—to become servants of God the Father, like Christ, the Teacher of every soul. Only then can we truly stand against the power of Satan.

God calls all His disciples to be faithful and to trust in Him, because just as Jesus was hated by the world for obeying God the Father and bringing His Word to humanity, so too will those who live by and follow God's Word be hated by the world.

But do not be afraid of the power of the world! Fear God, obey His Word, and you will be joyful with God the Father in Heaven.

Thanks be to God. Amen.