Gospel: John 17:11b-19
Holy Father, keep those you have given me in your name, so that they may be one, as we also are.When I was with them, I kept them safe in your name; and not one was lost, except the one who was already lost, and in this, the Scripture was fulfilled. And now I come to you; in the world I speak these things, so that those whom you gave me, might have joy—all my joy within  themselves.I have given them your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world, I do not ask you to remove them from the world, but  to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth.I have sent them into the world as you sent me  into the world; and for their sake, I go to the sacrifice by which I am consecrated, so that they too may be consecrated in truth.

Reflections
“Keep them from the evil one.”Jesus continues his priestly prayer to the Father. He intercedes for the apostles’ safety. His prayer shows how valuable the apostles are because they have  been given to him as gifts by the Father. Weak as they are, he keeps and guards them as his own in the Father’s name so that no one falls away and is lost, except the one who betrays  him.Jesus also knows that his disciples are happy for him going to the Father and that they too may completely share in his joy in heaven.As he goes away, he will send them to face the  world that hates them. The world is anything that is hostile to Jesus and the apostles.Jesus asks the Father that they will be safe from the scheme of the evil one. They should not be led  to sin and betray him. They should not be misled to espousing worldly values, but the truth to which they have been consecrated.How do we pray? When we believe that other people close to  us are valuable gifts from God, we too will pray hard for their safety. We pray that they may be safe from danger and harm.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2019