Wednesday, May 20, 2026

 

Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

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

Is the world as evil as Jesus indicates in today’s gospel reading? He says, “… the world hated (his disciples) because they do not belong to the world.”  Yet we don’t experience everything in the world objectionable.  Don’t we enjoy seeing butterflies and listening to music, even find them edifying? 

Without taking away the unique brilliance of the fourth gospel, commentators have noted its tendency to categorize all things as good or bad.  The good is what belongs to God’s original creation and to what Christ has redeemed.  Some of creation’s good, however, has been corrupted by Satan’s rebellion against God’s order. These are actions stemming from pride and its derivatives: lust, greed, and thirst for power.

Followers of Christ are in the world, but they resist Satan’s evildoing.  They may use and indeed enjoy aspects of the world when those things are aligned with God’s authority.  But when the things compete with God for priority, Christ’s disciples reject them firmly.  In the gospel, Jesus prays that his Father enlightens his followers to always choose wisely.

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

Memorial of Saint Justin, martyr

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

Christianity is sometimes criticized for being overly concerned with doctrine.  The critique maintains that a Church without a creed would be more united.  It would also betray its heritage.  The New Testament letters continually decry false teachers.  Two of John’s letters call them the “antichrists.”  Justin Martyr, today’s patron, gave his life in defense of right doctrine.  He was a second-century philosopher convert who wrote in defense of Christian teaching.

In today’s gospel Jesus gives a foundation for truth.  He asks his Father “to consecrate (his disciples) in the truth.”  He wants them to know the truth of salvation which ishis incarnation, death, and resurrection.  More than that, they are to tell others about it.

We may be ridiculed for accepting Scripture as truth.  Some hold that its beliefs are mythical as that truth comes only from scientific investigation.  This position is known as “positivism.”  We have to show positivists that religious truth is efficacious by lives of integrity, service, and love.  Saints like Justin comprise the best argument for Christ’s truth. 

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.

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

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

Bicycle mechanics speak of “truing” wheels.  This means that they adjust the tension on the spokes equally so that the wheel’s rotation does not pull it from side to side.  If the wheel is not “true,” it will wobble to cause an uncomfortable ride.   The “truth” that Jesus expresses in today’s gospel may be understood in this way.

Jesus himself is the word that is truth.  He grounds his disciples in what is good and pleasing to God so that they might attain eternal life.  Without him the way would become so arduous that the disciples would begin to wobble.   They would not be able to not complete their journey.  In this “priestly prayer” on behalf of the people Jesus petitions the Father.  He asks the Father to consecrate his disciples “in truth.” He wants them close to him for guidance and support. 

We are used to think of truth classically.  Truth is what corresponds closely to reality.  John’s gospel stretches our notion of truth to include what is most practical.  Truth – that is, Jesus of Nazareth – will enable us to attain eternal bliss, our heart’s deepest desire.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

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

In the computer world we protect information with a password.  One should create passwords that would be difficult to guess and should take care never to reveal them.  As many people have unfortunately learned, failing to give passwords proper regard may result in swindle.  Today’s gospel indicates that a name in biblical times today has similar import to a password today. 

Jesus tells his Father that he has protected his disciples in the Father’s name.  He means that he has called upon the Father by name to keep them safe.  Jesus will also use his Father’s name, “I AM,” to give his disciples safe passage when the Roman garrison comes to arrest him in the garden.  “I AM” is a simplified translation of the Tetragrammaton or four consonants expressing the name for Himself that God revealed to Moses in the book of Exodus.  In John’s gospel Jesus uses it repeatedly to express his identity with the Father.

We should use God’s name frequently but reverently.  That is, we should call upon God as “Father” or “Lord” to ask His assistance.  When we feel tempted to think or do something malicious, calling upon God by name will assure the help we need.