Consecrated In the Truth And Saved In His Name. (John 17:11-19).

Brothers and sisters, today, we have the opportunity to reflect on Jesus priestly prayer, his most intimate conversation, a prayer whispered to the Father on our behalf. Jesus, knowing the world's harsh winds can snuff out even the sturdiest faith, pleads, “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one.”  This isn't just about physical safety, but about finding refuge in God's presence, a place where doubt and fear cannot touch us. Jesus reveals to us that in His name we find refuge because at the mention of his name every knee must bow! This is a revelation that there is power in the name of Jesus.

The world today is no less hostile than it was for the early disciples. We face challenges that can threaten our faith and our unity as believers. Perhaps our lives have become so comfortable that our faith feels like a flickering candle in the midday sun.  Have we become complacent, forgetting the fire that first ignited our hearts?  Jesus' prayer for us is a reminder that despite these challenges, we are not alone. God is our sturdy oak sheltering us from the storm, and His name remains a powerful anchor in the roughest seas. Therefore, it is important to pray the name of Jesus over our lives, over every situation that trouble our soul.

Moreover, this unity Jesus prays for isn't just an absence of conflict. The divisions we experience at various level in the world today are the consequences of our sins. Jesus calls us to be united in purpose, love, and truth, learning from the unity that exist between him and the Father. We are called to celebrate our differences, understanding that together we form a richer picture of God's love in the world.

Jesus prays, “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.” This means that we are in the world, but not of it. Our mission is to be the light and salt of the earth, witnessing to God's love and truth. However, Jesus acknowledges the reality of spiritual warfare. Christians are not always aware of this spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:12 says: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”. Jesus’ prayer reassures us that God is actively working to guard our hearts and minds against the attacks of the enemy. Similarly, we have to cooperate with God in order to experience fully His divine protection.

This leads us to the central theme of Jesus' prayer: “Consecrate them in the truth; your word is truth.” To be consecrated means to set be set apart for a holy purpose. Jesus asks the Father to sanctify us through His truth, found in His Word. In a world where truth is often subjective and relative, where we experience clash of values, cultures, opinions, we are called to stand firm in the absolute truth of God's Word. This truth is not just a set of doctrines or moral guidelines; it's the living and active Word of God that transforms and renews us. By immersing ourselves in the Sacred Scripture, we are made holy, equipped to fulfill our mission in the world. We need to constantly grow in the consciousness of our identity as “consecrated persons.” Reminding ourselves constantly that we have been consecrated in the Truth to God helps us to avoid any occasion of sin, to seek to do God’s will always and every where.

Jesus also prays for our mission: “As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.”  Our calling as Christians is to be sent ones, just as Jesus was sent. We are commissioned to continue His work, sharing the gospel, serving others, and embodying the love and truth of Christ in every aspect of our lives. This mission is not optional; it is an essential part of our identity as followers of Jesus.

Jesus' prayer in John 17:11-19 is a profound expression of His love and care for us. He prays for our preservation in God's name, our protection from evil, our sanctification in the truth, and our commissioning to continue His mission. As we meditate on this prayer, let us be encouraged and strengthened, knowing that Jesus Himself intercedes for us. May we strive to live in unity, rooted in the truth of God's Word, and faithfully fulfill our calling as His disciples in the world.

Amen.