John 17:11b-19

Acts 1:15-17, 20a, 20c-26

Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20

1 John 4:11-16

John 17:11b-19

 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.”

Opening Prayer: Holy Father, I make Jesus’ prayer my own today. I pray that I may be one with you and with the other members of Christ’s Body. As I am sent into this world, I pray that I may be consecrated to your service. I am in this passing world but do not belong to this world.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Priestly Consecration of the Apostles: The high-priestly prayer of Jesus in John 17 has three parts. They correspond to the three parts of the ritual of the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). “[J]us the high priest makes atonement for himself, for the priestly clan, and for the whole community of Israel, so Jesus prays for himself [John 17:1-5], for the Apostles [John 17:2-19], and finally for all who will come to believe in him through their word – for the Church of all times [John 17:20-26]. [Jesus] sanctifies ‘himself,’ and he obtains the sanctification of those who are his” (Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth: Vol. II, 78). We read from the second part of the prayer which seeks to sanctify or consecrate the Apostles. Through his prayer, Jesus draws his disciples into his own sanctification. Jesus’ Apostles are not just ritually consecrated, they are truly consecrated in their very being. Just as the priestly sons of Aaron were vested in sacred robes and anointed with oil, the Apostles are purified, robed, and anointed with truth. “This purifying and sanctifying ‘truth’ is ultimately Christ himself. They must be immersed in him; they must, so to speak, be ‘newly robed’ in him, and thus they come to share in his consecration, in his priestly commission, in his sacrifice” (Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth: Vol. II, 90). On the night of the Last Supper, Jesus consecrates his Apostles, setting them apart for the priestly service of the Gospel.

2. Apostolic Succession: The First Reading narrates how the consecration of the Apostles will continue down through the centuries. Peter stands up in the assembly and explains how it is necessary to replace Judas Iscariot. Jesus chose Twelve men as his Apostles and the number twelve symbolizes “the apostles’ role as covenant representatives around whom the twelve tribes of Israel would be reconstituted. Hence, the apostolic college needed to be restored to its full complement of twelve members for the restoration of Israel to proceed. Ezekiel had prophesied that the restoration of Israel would accompany the outpouring of the Spirit, which Jesus had said was imminent. Therefore, it was urgent that Judas be replaced immediately” (Pimentel, Witnesses of the Messiah, 23). After Jesus’ Ascension and before the Pentecost of the Spirit, the number of the Apostles is reconstituted by appointing Matthias in Judas’ place. Peter quotes Psalm 109 and says: “May another take his office.” The word “office” is a translation of the Greek word “episkope,” which literally means “overseer” and is the root of the English word “bishop.” So, in essence, Peter is saying, “Let another take his bishopric” or “position of oversight.” These actions of Peter and the early Church are the foundation for the doctrine of Apostolic Succession. Bishops have been appointed to succeed and carry on the pastoral ministry of the Apostles down through the centuries to the present. The Acts of the Apostles narrates how Matthias replaced Judas as one of the Twelve Apostles, but also how Paul and Barnabas were commissioned as apostles, and how many others were appointed as overseers (bishops) (Acts 20:28), presbyters (elders) (Acts 14:23), and as deacons (Acts 6:1-6). With time, a clearer distinction will be made in the early Church between bishops, presbyters (priests), and deacons.

3. God’s Love is Brought to Perfection: In the Second Reading, John reflects on the mystery of God’s love at work in us. By faith, we begin to abide in God and God abides in us. That faith needs to grow and mature in love. And our love for one another and for God needs to be brought to perfection. This is the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, the very Love of God, in us. It is not a human accomplishment. No matter how hard we try to love others on our own, we will fail or fall short. Only by the continual gift of divine grace and charity can we grow to perfection. Only by working with God’s grace can we truly grow in holiness and love. We have the assurance that Jesus, our merciful and eternal high priest, intercedes for us before the Father.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, bring my poor love to perfection. That is not something I can accomplish on my own. I need you. Without you, I can do nothing of merit, but with you and the gift of your grace all things are possible and I can merit the perfection of eternal life.

Living the Word of God: Do I pray for my bishop? Do I participate actively in the life of the diocese? What talents and gifts am I called to place at the service of the Gospel in my diocese and in my parish?