So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews seized Jesus and bound him. First they led him to Annas; for he was the father-in-law of Ca′iaphas, who was high priest that year. It was Ca′iaphas who had given counsel to the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. As this disciple was known to the high priest, he entered the court of the high priest along with Jesus, while Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the maid who kept the door, and brought Peter in. The maid who kept the door said to Peter, “Are not you also one of this man’s disciples?” He said, “I am not.” Now the servants[a] and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves; Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.
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THE VIGILANCE OF GOD
“He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence” (Ps 91:3).
Although we are undoubtedly safe under the wings of our Father and Jesus watches over His own, as the Gospel of John assures us (17:12), our life is still surrounded by dangers. Not for nothing does Scripture warn us that “the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour” (1 Pet 5:8). Therefore, we must be vigilant in every way, lest we fall into the snares and traps that the enemy of our souls sets around us. But as we know, it is not only the devil who puts us in danger, but also our flesh and the world. Therefore, we must restrain our desires lest we fall into addictions, and remain vigilant lest we succumb to the seductive pleasures and vanities of this world.
THE GOSPEL OF ST. JOHN (Jn 18:1-11): “The unthinkable happens”
When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples across the Kidron valley, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas, procuring a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that was to befall him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When he said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he; so, if you seek me, let these men go.”
VIGILANCE AT EVERY STEP
“Pay attention to every step. You must always be vigilant” (Inner Word).
Vigilance is a key concept in our spiritual life.
When we have awakened to the love of our Father, the Holy Spirit will constantly teach us to be vigilant. In fact, vigilance is closely related to love. We know what the gifts of the Holy Spirit do in us: the gift of the fear of God, which moves us to avoid anything that might offend Him; the gift of piety, which strives to do whatever pleases Him; the gift of counsel, which instructs us as to what is right in God’s eyes in a given situation, and so on.
TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER
“Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil 2:11).
To acknowledge Jesus as Lord is not only important in the personal religious sphere, but it is the realisation of God’s plan for the whole of humanity. This is our Father’s plan: to gather all humanity in Christ to give them all that He has in store for them. Many passages of Sacred Scripture testify to this.
THE GOSPEL OF ST. JOHN (Jn 17:13-26): “Jesus’ last words before His Passion”
“But now I am coming to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 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. I do not pray that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; thy word is truth. As thou didst send me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be consecrated in truth. “I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
THE GOSPEL OF ST. JOHN (Jn 17:1-12): “Jesus intercedes for His disciples”
When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify thy Son that the Son may glorify thee, since thou hast given him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom thou hast given him. And this is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. I glorified thee on earth, having accomplished the work which thou gavest me to do; and now, Father, glorify thou me in thy own presence with the glory which I had with thee before the world was made. “I have manifested thy name to the men whom thou gavest me out of the world; thine they were, and thou gavest them to me, and they have kept thy word. Now they know that everything that thou hast given me is from thee; for I have given them the words which thou gavest me, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from thee; and they have believed that thou didst send me. Read More
WAIT FOR DEATH PROPERLY
“Wait a little longer and continue to fulfil your task. I am your reward’ (Inner Word).
The more we love our Father, the more we long to be with Him in eternity. Let us remember how Jesus invited His disciples to rejoice with Him because He would soon return to the Father (Jn 14:28).
THE GOSPEL OF ST. JOHN (Jn 16:25-33): “I have overcome the world”
“I have said this to you in figures; the hour is coming when I shall no longer speak to you in figures but tell you plainly of the Father. In that day you will ask in my name; and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from the Father. I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father.” His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure! Now we know that you know all things, and need none to question you; by this we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, every man to his home, and will leave me alone; yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
GOD’S LOVE SAVES
“My love and all that this love has conceived can save them” (Inner Word).
Unfortunately, not a few people have gone seriously astray. If they do not convert, their lives will become increasingly dark and they may even be eternally condemned.