Oneness with God!

Wednesday, April 15, 2024

Acts 20:28-38; Jn 17:11-19

In the Gospel, we find Jesus praying to God on behalf of his disciples for three things. 

That they may be one: Jesus prays that his disciples, by their faith in him, are one in mind and heart as emblematic of their discipleship. The foundation for such oneness comes from Jesus’ relationship with God. Here, Jesus inspires his disciples through his own example. 

Jesus’ prayer for the disciples’ oneness occurs five times in this chapter. Why would Jesus pray for our oneness? Jesus sees that our oneness with God and the believing community is the only way to journey in this world, just as he himself did. The fact that we do not belong to this world reinforces the fact that we should rely on God for our strength and protection. For Christians, our homeland is heaven. Until we reach our heavenly destination, we need the strength coming from God to traverse this world.

That they may be kept from the evil one: Jesus now prays for the protection of his disciples from the influence of evil. The basis for such protection comes from the fact that the disciples live in the world, though they do not belong to it. Hence, their journey in this world needs God’s protection so that the disciples do not fall prey to the temptations of Satan. 

Jesus knew the persuasive power of Satan. He himself was tested thrice. Now, he wants his disciples to conquer Satan with God’s power, just as he himself did.

That they may be consecrated in truth: Jesus prays for a special gift for his disciples – consecration in the truth. The Word that is God’s is the Truth. Jesus is the Word Incarnate and the Word Revealed. Hence, it is in the truth of Christ that Jesus wants his disciples to be consecrated by God. ‘Consecration in truth’ is a unique blessing and privilege that identifies the disciples of Christ. 

Consecration means sanctity and holiness. However, it does not strictly refer to making holy as to our moral character. Rather, holiness is understood in relation to someone anointed for God. In other words, the one who is consecrated is set apart for God. Every Christian is set apart for God by means of our consecration in Christ. If ‘that we are set apart for God’ is our distinctive quality, how far are we affirming it in our lives?

We are invited to understand that our oneness with God procures every blessing for Christian life. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar