Breaking the Word

7^th week in Easter Time, Wednesday – 1^st June 2022 –  Gospel: Jn 17,11b-19

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”.

Visitation of the BVM, Tuesday – 31^st May 2022 — Gospel: Lk1,39-56

Became a Blessing

The feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to her kinswoman Elizabeth was begun by St. Bonaventure among the Franciscans in 1263 CE and became a universal feast in 1389 CE during the papacy of Urban VI. Today’s celebration recounts Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth. It brings to mind the importance of personal relationships between people and the need to be positively and joyfully involved in the lives of others.

As a witness to the Holy Spirit’s action in her, Mary immediately travelled in haste. Her instant response to the angel’s visit was one of service for the neighbourhood. Having experienced God’s overflowing love and grace in her life, she was moved to offer herself as an instrument of that grace for others. Mary was aware from the start that God’s grace in her was not an achievement or an accomplishment. She has been blessed, but the blessing she has received was not only for her, but for the whole human race. She turned out to be a blessing for others. Having received the gift of God’s visitation, she opened her heart to be transformed into a gift for others, starting from her own visitation to her cousin Elizabeth.