Breaking the Word

7^th week in Easter Time, Wednesday – 24^th May 2023 –  Gospel: Jn 17,11b-1

Divine Association

As Jesus departs from the world, he is leaving his disciples behind. His own mission in the world is coming to an end, but that of the disciples is about to begin. Therefore, in this section, Jesus prays to the Father for his disciples. He prays, first, that God may “protect them” from evil (vv.11,15). Jesus knows that the disciples will be persecuted by the world, just as he himself was hated by the world (v.14). Yet, Jesus asks the Father not to take them out of the world, but rather to protect them from the evil powers within the world (v.15). Second, he prays that God may “sanctify them” in the truth (vv.17,19). In order to prepare for and succeed in their mission in the world, the disciples must be holy, as God is holy (vv.11,17). This sanctification in the truth involves the work of both the Son and the Holy Spirit. Association with Jesus, the saving truth of God (14,6), will equip the disciples for service in his name. Association with the Spirit, who is the “Spirit of truth” (14,17), will sanctify believers to reveal and serve a “holy Father”.

7^th week in Easter Time, Tuesday – 23^rd May 2023 – Acts 20,17-27;  Jn 17,1-11a

Farewell to Elders

Today’s first reading and the Gospel present the final words addressed to followers of a leader who will soon be leaving them. Throughout his ministry, Paul had established the importance of leadership of elders. He appointed elders in each Church right from his first missionary journey.  He addressed them as episkopoi, literally means ‘overseers’ (Phil 1,1). An ‘overseer’ seems to have been a presbyter (elder) with some executive authority in the community. In the letters to Timothy and Titus are listed the qualifications to become a presbyter (1 Time 3; Tit 1). Here Paul called on the elders of the church in Ephesus to give them final instructions and say farewell to them. It is the last testament of a loving pastor with more touching words. Although Paul was a tough man in many respects, yet he was also very emotional. Having been guided by the Holy Spirit, Paul realizes that his ministry and mission to the people in Ephesus, and in the Roman province of Asia is over. He tells them that he will probably never again see them, at least on this side of death. He bids farewell to them, informing that he does not fear the imprisonment and persecution which probably await him when he returns to Jerusalem and beyond.