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.
