Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: May 15, 2024

Date:  Wednesday of the 7th Week of Easter

Scripture Text:  John 17:11b-19

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying: “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one. When I was with them, I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the Evil One. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

 The gospel text for today is from Jesus’ prayer to the Father at the conclusion of His “Final Discourse with the Disciples” before His arrest, crucifixion, death and resurrection. This prayer is often referred to as Jesus’ high priestly prayer. Jesus’ prayer is intercessory, pleading with the Father for the protection of His disciples and for their protection “from the Evil One.”

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Have I embraced Christ’s mission as His disciple? Do I go into the world in His name?  

Praying:

LORD, Jesus Christ, Son of God, our Savior and our brother, we lift our voices in loving prayer, seeking your help as we continue your mission. Send your Spirit to stir within us, to kindle in us the fire of your love, to strengthen our resolve to proclaim the Good News of your life, death and resurrection, and to bring You to others and others to You. Be with us, LORD, as you promised, to the end of the age. Amen.