Jesus is leaving his disciples. For three years He has gathered his followers, taught them personally about God’s love, and sent them out on mission to practice for themselves. And now, before He leaves, Jesus prays over them, revealing His heart. He prays as a son asking his beloved father for mercy. He prays like a father, a husband, a brother, offering himself for those whom he loves. The disciples don’t realize it at the time, but this will be His final prayer with them before His Passion.
What must it have been like for them to hear Jesus speak to God in this manner?
In His prayer He reveals the depth of His love for them. For us. Read the words of today’s Gospel slowly, imagining Jesus beside you, eyes lifted, His warm hand resting on your shoulder. You are them; the ones He prays for. Hear him speak these words over you – uniting, protecting, and consecrating you to God.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus came to do the will of God, which is to gather what was scattered by the introduction of sin into the world. He unites Himself with us because He is one with God, and through Him we are united with God. He protects us and guards us to fulfill God’s faithful promise of salvation.
Following Christ means that we belong to Him. We have his word and it brings us joy! We are His and no longer belong to this world of sin. However, Jesus recognizes that belonging to Him also means this world is not our home. Yet He doesn’t ask for us to be taken away from the world. Instead, Jesus asks God to consecrate us in the truth, knowing the Word of God builds us up and makes us His heirs.
In Jesus’ prayer today, He reveals that God sent a part of Himself for us, for our salvation, so we may come to know and trust God’s purpose for us. By choosing Jesus, we are accepting God’s truth for ourselves.
Jesús se despide de sus discípulos. Durante tres años los ha reunido, les ha enseñado personalmente sobre el amor de Dios y los ha enviado en misión para que pusieran en práctica lo aprendido. Y ahora, antes de partir, Jesús ora por ellos, revelando su corazón. Ora como un hijo que pide misericordia a su amado Padre. Ora como un padre, un esposo, un hermano, ofreciéndose a sí mismo por aquellos a quienes ama. Los discípulos no se dan cuenta en ese momento, pero esta será su última oración con ellos antes de su Pasión.
¿Cómo habrá sido para ellos escuchar a Jesús hablar con Dios de esta manera?
En su oración, revela la profundidad de su amor por ellos. Por nosotros. Lean las palabras del Evangelio de hoy lentamente, imaginando a Jesús a su lado, con los ojos elevados, su mano cálida descansando sobre su hombro. Ustedes son ellos; aquellos por quienes ora. Escúchenlo pronunciar estas palabras sobre ustedes, uniéndolos, protegiéndolos y consagrándolos a Dios.
Por el poder del Espíritu Santo, Jesús vino a cumplir la voluntad de Dios, que es reunir lo que fue dispersado por la introducción del pecado en el mundo. Él se une a nosotros porque es uno con Dios, y a través de Él estamos unidos a Dios. Nos protege y nos guarda para cumplir la fiel promesa de salvación de Dios.
Seguir a Cristo significa que le pertenecemos. Tenemos su palabra y nos trae alegría. Somos suyos y ya no pertenecemos a este mundo de pecado. Sin embargo, Jesús reconoce que pertenecerle también significa que este mundo no es nuestro hogar. Pero no pide que seamos apartados del mundo. En cambio, Jesús le pide a Dios que nos consagre en la verdad, sabiendo que la Palabra de Dios nos edifica y nos hace sus herederos.
En la oración de Jesús de hoy, revela que Dios envió una parte de sí mismo para nosotros, para nuestra salvación, para que podamos conocer y confiar en el propósito de Dios para nosotros. Al elegir a Jesús, aceptamos la verdad de Dios para nosotros mismos.
Shelly Henley Kelly is a wife, mother of three, and native Texan who writes and records a podcast with her sister on Of Sound Mind and Spirit and is a regular contributor to Catholic Mom. When not writing or recording, Shelly can be found volunteering as a Youth Ministry Catechist, keeping the scorebook at her son’s baseball games, diving deep into historical research, or hiding with a good book in between games.
Feature Image Credit: Scott Rodgerson, unsplash.com/photos/jesus-christ-bust-ngHgIc-mD-E
The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.
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