A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 17:11b-19

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 anymore 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 to the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth."

REFLECTION:

Jesus left his disciples forty days after his resurrection. For forty days he appeared numerous times to assure them that indeed he was alive. He also was preparing them to carry on the task of doing his ministry here on earth.

Jesus is praying to God to watch over them (us). He is their (our) intercessor.

Jesus promised them that he would not leave them alone, that he would be with them always to the end of time. He promised them the Holy Spirit ( the Advocate or Paraclete or Comforter) so that they would be baptized in the Spirit just as he was baptized by John the Baptist. Jesus prayed to his Father for his friends so that they would be protected against the evil one. His ultimate love was the institution of the Holy Eucharist , so that they and all of us would be one with him. The disciples were instructed to stay in Jerusalem til the coming of the Holy Spirit. His mother Mary was with the disciples praying and waiting for the Holy Spirit.

He gave them the task of going out and proclaiming the Gospel and the good news of salvation to all the world. It is for the whole world that Jesus died and conquered death . He gave us his love and therefore joy.

PRAYER:

Let us pray for the joy of the Lord as we anticipate Pentecost Sunday.

Please let us reflect on Meditation 4 of the Dekaena to the Holy Spirit. This Dekaena can be found in the website. Amen

God Bless