Wednesday, May 19, 2021

 Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

(Acts 20:28-38; John 17:11b-19)

Every day the news reports hatred, violence, and misery.  Covid rages in India.  Palestinians are revolting in Israel.  It has been reported that child abuse increased over the last year because children were not attending school where its effects could be detected.  All these events counter indicate “the truth” of which Jesus speaks in today’s gospel.

“God so loved the world…” relates the truth that Jesus not only proclaimed but embodied.  Ready to return to his Father, Jesus prays that his disciples likewise live and proclaim it. They will be challenged.  Jesus will undergo cruel punishment and will be apparently defeated.  Peter for a while will even succumb to the lie that Jesus does not matter.  As they have had Jesus in their midst, the disciples now need his Holy Spirit.  The Spirit will consecrate them in the service of the Father’s love.

Perhaps we need the Spirit even more so today.  It is evident that the world still abounds in greed, pride, and lust.  Despite this need, people seem to care less about God than about lottery numbers.  Nevertheless, we can count on Jesus praying for us because we too have discipled with him.  His prayers will allow us to heed, practice, and proclaim his Father’s love.

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