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. 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.” (John 17:11b-19)
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe in
you. I believe that you are here with me. I thank you for your loving presence
in my life. I place all of my hope in you. I humbly offer you the love in my
heart and my desire to continue your mission in the world.
Petition: Lord, strengthen my resolve to serve
you.
1. He Always Loved Those Who Were His Own in
the World: Jesus completed his mission of protecting those entrusted to his
care. He fulfilled his vocation as a man; not one of his apostles was lost
except the son of destruction. We have his protection still. He sits at the
right hand of the Father to intercede for us. We have the help of his mother,
Mary, and all the saints in heaven. We are surrounded by a great crowd of
saints, who support our efforts to live as God wants us to live. They are God’s
gift to protect us on our pilgrimage in life.
2. Here For the Spiritual Battle: As Jesus was leaving
the world, he prayed for his disciples. He did not pray that they would be
taken out of the world, but that they be kept from the evil one. Sometimes we
can feel beaten up and broken, and we seek to flee the battle. Jesus needs us
in the combat and entrusts us with the fight. He doesn’t keep us from the
battle, instead offers us the strength of his help. He is with us, fighting at
our side. He is within us, giving us the interior strength to do his will.
3. Just Passing Through: Although we are in the
world, we are here as pilgrims. We are passing through on our way to heaven. We
have a mission: to save the souls that God has entrusted to our care. It is
easy to get distracted, to begin to look for calm, ease or a more comfortable
resting place for our weary souls and bodies. The world remains attractive to
our fallen nature. Alluring advertisements can leave their mark on us, and we
can desire the things of earth more than the treasures of heaven. This is why
we must give priority to prayer in our life and contemplate life from the
perspective of eternity.
Conversation with Christ: Jesus, protect me from
the evil one. He is battling me on many fronts. Keep me strong in your love.
Don’t let me give in to discouragement or despair. I have the protection of
your love and your intercession. Increase my hope in you. Help me to continue
your work in the world.
Resolution: I
will speak to someone about Christ today, sharing with them the love he
lavishes upon us.
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