This passage is part of a prayer Jesus offered to God prior to his passion and death. It expresses his desire that we, the Church, may be one with God just as Jesus is one with God. He wants us to have his joy in a world where we will be hated. He asks God to keep the Church safe from the evil one because the Church is not of this world.
I find this prayer comforting because it reminds me that Jesus knows what we are being asked to do – he did it too – and he is praying on our behalf. It’s increasingly difficult to raise a Catholic family in this world that we are in but not of. The societal narrative goes against many things Jesus taught as truth. It’s comforting that we were not tossed into a challenging situation by a God who isn’t prepared to be by our side.
We are not alone as we strive to be one with God and raise families that are one with God. We were made for more – the world of heaven where we will be in full communion with our Lord. And while we are here in this world on earth, God surrounds us with others to support us. Who supports you as you raise your Catholic family? Hopefully we can count on our extended families and our parish communities.
We believe God’s Word is truth (John 17:17) and we cling to that truth. The Catholic Church has remained for over 2000 years. Jesus founded it, Jesus prayed for it, and Jesus remains with us in it.
Lord Jesus, surround us with good and faithful people with whom we can journey together. Help us to be that supportive person to others as well.
Este pasaje es parte de una oración que Jesús ofreció a Dios antes de su pasión y muerte. Expresa su deseo de que nosotros, la Iglesia, seamos uno con Dios así como Jesús es uno con Dios. Él quiere que tengamos su gozo en un mundo donde seremos odiados. Pide a Dios que mantenga a la Iglesia a salvo del maligno porque la Iglesia no es de este mundo.
Esta oración me consuela porque me recuerda que Jesús sabe lo que se nos pide que hagamos (él también lo hizo) y está orando por nosotros. Es cada vez más difícil formar una familia católica en este mundo, porque estamos aquí pero no somos de aquí. La narrativa social va en contra de muchas cosas que Jesús enseñó como verdad. Es reconfortante que no nos hayamos visto arrojados a una situación desafiante por un Dios que no está preparado para estar a nuestro lado.
No estamos solos mientras nos esforzamos por ser uno con Dios y criar familias que sean una con Dios. Fuimos creados para más: el mundo celestial donde estaremos en plena comunión con nuestro Señor. Y mientras estamos aquí en este mundo en la tierra, Dios nos rodea de otros para apoyarnos. ¿Quién te apoya mientras crías a tu familia católica? Ojalá podamos contar con nuestras familias extendidas y nuestras comunidades parroquiales.
Creemos que la Palabra de Dios es verdad (Juan 17,17) y nos aferramos a esa verdad. La Iglesia Católica ha permanecido durante más de 2000 años. Jesús la fundó, Jesús oró por ella y Jesús permanece con nosotros en ella.
Señor Jesús, rodéanos de personas buenas y fieles con quienes podamos caminar juntos. Ayúdanos a ser esa persona que apoya a los demás también.
Merridith Frediani loves words and is delighted by good sentences. She also loves Lake Michigan, dahlias, the first sip of hot coffee in the morning, millennials, and playing Sheepshead with her husband and three kids. She writes for Catholic Mom, Diocesan.com, and her local Catholic Herald. Her first book Draw Close to Jesus: A Woman’s Guide to Adoration is available at Our Sunday Visitor and Amazon. You can learn more at merridithfrediani.com.
Feature Image Credit: Priscilla Du Preez, unsplash.com/photos/person-in-black-long-sleeve-shirt-holding-babys-feet-aPa843frIzI