Into the world

The text today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary points to the mission of the followers of Jesus to go into the world and as the psalmist proclaims about God be the Father of orphans and the protector of widows. In the loving action of the Body of Christ in the world, the Presence of Christ transforms lives and situations to move in harmony with the Will of God. Friar Jude Winkler discusses the scene from the Book of Acts where Paul is taking leave of the faithful of Ephesus who consider this to be the last time they will see the Apostle to the Gentiles. Paul exhorts them to be wary of the messages of the world which will attempt to scatter them and draw them away from the truth. They must continue to support themselves and the care for the weak. Friar Jude reminds us that the weak are not subjects of our charity but are the people with whom we struggle and know the blessing of Jesus in compassion and solidarity. The Gospel of John brings us the continuation of Jesus prayer for the Church as He prepares His disciples for His return to the Father. Chapter 17 of the Gospel of John is known as Jesus High Priestly Prayer. In the passage today, Jesus prays for the disciples that they be consecrated in the Truth of the relationship of Father and Son and that the Holy Spirit be the strength for the disciples to remain in the relationship and defeat the attacks of the world with which they will live as a sign of the counter cultural values of God which bring life, compassion, forgiveness and love to people. The Church prepares for the feast of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost by prayer in the form of an ancientnovena. The direction of Jesus to the disciples to wait in prayer for the full release of the Holy Spirit is honoured in this practice.