Daily Gospel Reflection

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May 24, 2023

Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Jn 17:11b-19
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Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying:
“Holy Father, keep them in your name
that you have given me,
so that they may be one just as we are one.
When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me,
and I guarded them, and none of them was lost
except the son of destruction,
in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
But now I am coming to you.
I speak this in the world
so that they may share my joy completely.
I gave them your word, and the world hated them,
because they do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
I do not ask that you take them out of the world
but that you keep them from the Evil One.
They do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
Consecrate them in the truth.
Your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world,
so I sent them into the world.
And I consecrate myself for them,
so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”

Reflection

Daniel Jasek '18
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Being a Christian can sometimes be a lonely experience. One simple example: I remember a high school party where my friends were playing a crude game that my conscience told me I simply could not participate in.

Being the only one sitting out was an isolating and uncomfortable experience. Clearly, much more courageous people than I have suffered worse persecution and rejection because of their faith, but regardless of the severity, our world is actively opposed to many of the teachings of Christ and his church. Whether in A.D. 33 or 2023, we are constantly tempted by the path of least resistance to just blend in.

Jesus’ prayer for his followers from today’s gospel offers comfort and challenge. Amid his prayer, he says, “They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world.” In fact, Christ prays the same thing twice! He could not be more clear. We are not of the world, and consequently, the world might hate us for it.

While we do not belong to the world, we do belong to the Word. We belong to Jesus, through whom the Father has spoken clearly. The next time we experience rejection because of our faith, we can rejoice! This is simply a reminder of our true identity—brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ.

St. Paul writes to the Romans in chapter 12: “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” May all of us allow the Word (not the world) to form us so that we can bring the world to Christ.

Prayer

Rev. Bill Simmons, C.S.C.

Lord Jesus, you prayed for the mercy shown by the Father and promised to protect us so that we may be one as you and the Father are one. Look not at our faults and failures, and grant us your forgiveness and your mercy. Give us strength to call upon you, and may we all be one in faith, service, courage, and truth.

Saint of the Day

St. Joanna

Joanna was a laywoman from the first century who was married to the head servant to King Herod.

She followed Jesus and is mentioned in Luke’s Gospel when she provides for Jesus and the apostles out of her own resources (Lk 8:3). Tradition holds that when John the Baptist was killed, she obtained his head and buried it honorably.

Luke’s Gospel also tells us that Joanna was among the women who went to anoint Jesus’ body after his passion, death, and burial. She was among the first who were greeted with the news of the resurrection (Lk 24:10).

The chapel in Geddes Hall, which houses the Institute for Church Life and the Center for Social Concerns, contains stained glass windows that depict the works of mercy. Joanna is one of the “myrrh-bearing women” who are shown in the window dedicated to “burying the dead." The relics of St. Joanna also rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Notre Dame's campus.

Joanna, disciple of Christ whose care for Christ's dead body revealed to you his risen one—pray for us!