Gospel - John 17:11-19
In the first reading, we hear Paul’s farewell exhortation to the elders of the Church in Ephesus. With pastoral concern, Paul warns them of threats to the faith, not only from external opponents but also from within the community itself. He urges the leaders to be vigilant, to shepherd the Church of God with care and integrity. False teachers and misleading voices will arise, Paul says, but he entrusts the community to the care of God and the word of His grace—a word that builds up, strengthens, and sanctifies. Paul’s confidence is not in human strength but in God’s abiding presence and the truth of the gospel.
The Gospel echoes this theme of entrusting and sanctifying. Jesus, in His prayer to the Father, speaks tenderly of His disciples. They are in the world, but not of it. They have received His word, and through it, they are set apart—consecrated in truth. Jesus is deeply aware of the opposition they will face for His sake, and so He prays not for their removal from the world, but for their protection from the evil one. The Word they have received becomes both their defense and their calling, distinguishing them from the world while uniting them to God’s purpose.
Dear friends, to be Christian is to live a life marked by truth—truth that does not bend to convenience or worldly compromise. The teachings of Jesus are not merely ideals but the foundation for a life consecrated to God. This life will certainly encounter resistance—through distorted values like individualism, relativism, and utilitarianism, or through voices that twist or dilute the gospel. The response to these pressures is not retreat, but deeper fidelity. We are called to revisit the teachings of Christ, to draw strength from the Scriptures and the living tradition of the Church, and to live out our calling with courage and integrity.
The Gospel also reminds us that faithfulness is not a solitary effort. Jesus prays for us. The saints intercede for us. We are upheld by the grace of God. Like Paul, we must entrust ourselves to the Word of grace, allowing it to shape our minds, strengthen our resolve, and sanctify our lives.
Let us anchor ourselves firmly in the truth of Christ. Let us choose daily to live not according to the shifting values of the world, but according to the enduring word of God. And may we, like the early Church, remain vigilant, faithful, and set apart for His glory.
.jpeg)
0 Comments