Sermons Based on the Lectionary of the Syrian Orthodox Church

Devotional Thoughts for Sunday before Pentecost

by Jose Kurian Puliyeril

Prayer for Mankind

Gospel Reading: St. John 17: 13-26

Our Lord’s concern and the prayer for the entire mankind is the theme of today’s reading. In verse 13 Lord Jesus reveals that His intention is the fulfillment of the joy of men. Our Lord might have meant the joy of salvation mentioned in Psalms 51:12, where Psalmist prays to restore joy of Lord’s salvation. In verse 14, our Lord says, “I have given them thy word: and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” That is why St. John exhorts “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you”. (I John 3:13) . In verse 15 our Lord prays to protect us from the evil. In Galatians 1:4 we read, “Jesus Christ gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.” So also in 2 Thessalonians 3:3 we read, “But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.”

In verse 16 our Lord confirms that the faithful are not of this world as He is not of this world. But at all possible occasions we go after the world and we act as if we are of this world. We often forget the very fact that we should keep a separate view towards this world, while being in this world. We have studied that we are not of this world. But practically we engage ourselves as if we are of this world. In each and every moment we spend in this world, we all are bound to think that we are not of this world. In verse 17 our Lord is suggesting a remedy if and when we fall victim to the will of this world. Or when we forget that we are not of this world, we could have rescue from a big fall. It is purely by the sanctification by word of God, which is truth. The word of God, which is eternal truth could sanctify one and all who might depend it for sanctification. A faithful has to meditate the word of God every day. The Holy scriptures are good enough to sanctify the sinners. So we must make use of the word of God every now and often. Reading/Studying the word of God must be a practice in the life of a real faithful. In verse 18 we read, “And you have sent me into the world, even so I have also sent them into the world”. Again our Lord is emphasizing the mere fact that one who is engaged in the gospel work must be sanctified. See in verse 19, He says “And for these works, I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth”. St. Paul establishes that our Lord Himself is our sanctification. Please see I Corinthians 1:30, I Thessalonians 4:7 and Hebrews 10:10

In verses 20 and 21 we listen our Lord’s wish for the unity of entire men. He says, ‘Father, I have given the glory to them, which you had given me, so that they mighty be one’. We all have received the glory from our Savior. Are we utilizing the same according God’s will? We are obliged to use our talents and time for the unity of mankind and unity of the Churches. If we could not do something for the unity, we should not hinder the unity. We must put an end in abusing each other. When the mankind will be united, then only we could have the perfection of God’s will and desire. (see verse 23) In verses 24 and 25 we find the innocent desire of our Lord to have eternal abideness with each and everyone of the mankind. Our Lord wants to remain in us and to retain us in Him. The only question is towards you and me. Our Lord asks each and everyone of us; “how far you are ready to be in the kingdom of God”. We must ask ourselves and find the answer. May God bless us all.

See Also:

Lord Jesus’ High-Priestly Prayer
by Very Rev. K. Mathai Cor-Episcopa
Devotional Thoughts for the Sunday before Pentecost
by Rev. Dn. Sujit T Thomas

Devotional Thoughts for the Sunday before Pentecost
by Jose Kurian Puliyeril
Sermons and Bible Commentaries for Sunday Before Pentecost

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