The Word Among Us: A Catholic Devotional based on the Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Wednesday, 20 May 2015
Meditation: John 17:11 Now I am no longer in the world. They are in the world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, guard them by the power of your name, which you have given to me, so that they may be one, just as we are. 12 When I was with them, I guarded them by the power of your name, which you have given to me; yes, I kept watch over them; and not one of them was destroyed (except the one meant for destruction, so that the Tanakh might be fulfilled). 13 But now, I am coming to you; and I say these things while I am still in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves.
14 “I have given them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world — just as I myself do not belong to the world. 15 I don’t ask you to take them out of the world, but to protect them from the Evil One. 16 They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 17 Set them apart for holiness by means of the truth — your word is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 On their behalf I am setting myself apart for holiness, so that they too may be set apart for holiness by means of the truth.
Saint Bernardine of Siena, Priest
They do not belong to the world. (John 17:16)
It’s natural for us to regard God as being outside of this world. After all, he created it. He breathed life into everything that lives. He sent his Son, Jesus, into it, where he showed that he had power over all the forces in the world: he calmed storms, healed the sick, raised the dead, and multiplied bread and fish.
And to top it all off, he showed that not even death had sway over him. He simply rose, and then ascended out of this world back to heaven, where he had come from.
So if Jesus is outside of this world, does that mean that we are not? Are we, mere creatures, meant to remain bound by the limitations of this fallen world?
No! Twice in today’s Gospel, Jesus told his Father, “They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world” (John 17:14, 16). What an amazing statement! Even though we are still part of this world and we still need to be protected from the evil one, we are also one with Christ.
Think of it: the lives we now live, we live by faith in Christ who died for us (Galatians 2:20). That faith is the belief that our old selves did die on the cross. It’s faith that we can live a new life and that he who began a good work in us will see it to completion (Philippians 1:6). Faith that we will never lack the power, energy, and resources we need to live in union with Christ. Faith that the love of the Father will always be available to fill us and flow out of us, just as it did in Jesus’ life.
You do not belong to this world any more than Jesus does. Though you are not impervious to the evils that are part of life in this world, you can say no to them and not submit to their attraction. You can say no to greed and avarice. You can be freed from anger and lust. You no longer have to overeat or drink irresponsibly. You belong to God.
Declare that this is true today, and look for all the opportunities God will give you to choose to live his new life. Remember: you belong to Jesus!
“Thank you, Jesus, for rescuing me from this fallen world. Show me today how to live as a citizen of heaven.” Amen!
Acts 20:28 “Watch out for yourselves, and for all the flock in which the Ruach HaKodesh has placed you as leaders, to shepherd God’s Messianic community, which he won for himself at the cost of his own Son’s blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you; and they won’t spare the flock. 30 Even from among your own number, men will arise and teach perversions of the truth, in order to drag away the talmidim after themselves. 31 So stay alert! Remember that for three years, night and day, with tears in my eyes, I never stopped warning you!
32 “And now I entrust you to the care of the Lord and to the message of his love and kindness, for it can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who have been set apart for God.
33 “I have not wanted for myself anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have provided not only for my own needs, but for the needs of my co-workers as well. 35 In everything I have given you an example of how, by working hard like this, you must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Yeshua himself, ‘There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.’”
36 When he had finished speaking, Sha’ul kneeled down with them all and prayed. 37 They were all in tears as they threw their arms around his neck and kissed him farewell. 38 What saddened them the most was his remark that they would never see him again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
Psalm 68:29 (28) God, summon your strength!
Use your strength, God, as you did for us before,
30 (29) from your temple in Yerushalayim,
where kings will bring tribute to you.
33 (32) Sing to God, kingdoms of the earth!
Sing praises to Adonai, (Selah)
34 (33) to him who rides on the most ancient heavens.
Listen, as he utters his voice, a mighty voice!
35 (34) Acknowledge that strength belongs to God,
with his majesty over Isra’el and his strength in the skies.
36 (35) How awe-inspiring you are, God,
from your holy places,
the God of Isra’el, who gives strength
and power to the people.
Blessed be God!
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