Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel
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.”

Reflection

To be consecrated is to be empowered and to be set apart from the ordinary things of life, to do something that is essential, essential to our existence.

We are here in the world for a purpose. The purpose is not simply to be tested so we can see whether or not we're good enough to go to a place where God will be there with us. No, we’re to participate in the most intense, beautiful miracle of making God present to the world. And there is a reason why we should have confidence that that is possible.

It's not because of our goodness or our wisdom. It's about what's been given. And the fact that I can believe, as we are all called to believe, that this will be done for me. Jesus Himself, God, the Father prays for me every day. That we be open and receptive to such a great, mysterious miracle. 

Closing Prayer

Father, open our eyes so that we can see the intention that you brought into the world. The intention that we become like you. Instruments of bringing light and truth and peace into a troubled dark world. We're not to run from it. We're not to be a part of it. But we are to be dedicated to those in it and long for them to be free of that which could destroy them. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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