7 Sunday of Easter B
✠A reading from the holy Gospel according to John17:11-18
Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.
I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world”.
1. Today’s readings speak of the need to safeguard our blessings. The first reading is on the replacement of Judas from the apostolic college. He was a man who lost his blessings. The gospel presents us with the prayer of Jesus for his disciples, calling God’s blessings upon them. Before his departure, Jesus, through his priestly prayer, imparted divine blessings on his followers. He prayed that they be blessed with unity, joy, protection from evil, consecration to the Truth and successful missionary actions. These blessings were automatic because they came from a prayer said by Jesus, the God whose will rules the world. These blessings are all united. Where there is unity and truth there is joy, protection and success in mission.
2. The first blessing contained in the prayer was that the apostles be united just as Jesus and his Father are united. It is about divine life that is lived in love and unity, a unity that acknowledges difference but excludes every rivalry and conflict. The prayer for unity goes hand in hand with the prayer for protection. Jesus knows that no force can destroy those who are united in purpose and mission. Such people can withstand their enemies and are protected from evil. When people are united God abides with them. When each person goes his own way, each becomes vulnerable to temptation. That was how Judas lost his position among the apostles. He became a loner and gave in to temptation.
3. The second blessing is joy. He prayed that his followers would have a full measure of his joy with them. The joy of Jesus, the poor itinerant preacher who had no place to lay his head was not based on material things for he had none. His joy was based on his fidelity to the Father’s will. It is this joy that he wished his disciples. Their joy will be complete when they draw it from obedience to God. Happiest people on earth are those who know how to find their joy by doing good and avoiding evil. When Jesus prayed for joy for his disciples he was praying for them to live in obedience to God so that no sin can rob them of their joy.
4. The third blessing is consecration to the truth. Truth is a person. That person is Jesus, he is God, immortal and immutable. Being consecrated to him strengthens one against the Father of Lies that rules in the world. Jesus wants his followers to stand away from darkness and stand by the light, the truth. By being attached to the Truth the disciples will have their joy protected.
5. The last blessing is the missionary mandate given to the disciples in the same way that God gave it to Jesus. It is a divine mandate to bear witness to the truth to which on has been consecrated. Every baptized person has received this mandate through baptism. Christ wants to continue teaching and saving people through his disciples. He cannot do without them. They should know that they are all important instrument of salvation in the hands of God.
6. It is one thing for you to be blessed by Jesus and another for you to protect the blessing. We know that immediately after this blessing Judas left the company of Jesus and the apostles to go and meet the high priests to collect money and betray Jesus to them. He was unable to protect his blessings. It was with his own legs that he walked out of the blessing and walked into trouble.
Some blessings are like lighted candle. If you expose them to the wind they will be blown off. It happened to Solomo, it happened to Samson. It can also happen to you if you are careless. Safeguard your blessings. Know where you go and with whom you go. Judas went to the wrong place and met the wrong people. He lost his blessing. You are already divinely blessed. Jesus prayed that you live your life in unity, joy and truth. He prayed for you to be protected from evil. These blessings depend so much on you for their effectiveness. Protect them by obeying God’s commandments and your joy with be complete.
© Vitalis Anaehobi 12/05/24.
Be filled with the Holy Spirit
