That They May Be One

 

Readings 092326 - John 17

The Catholic Church professes 

apostolic succession—  

the mandate Jesus gave the Twelve,  

still alive, still moving,  

handed on through the laying of hands,  

generation to generation,  

mission to mission.

Jesus prayed for His Church:  

“I revealed Your name to those You gave me…  

the words You gave to me I have given to them…  

Holy Father, keep them in Your name,  

that they may be one.”

This truth stands firm,  

for every word of God is tested.  

We add nothing.  

We subtract nothing.  

We simply carry what was entrusted.

Jesus summoned the Twelve,  

gave them authority,  

sent them with nothing but courage,  

nothing but the Kingdom in their voice,  

nothing but trust in their sandals.

Apostolic succession means this:  

the same call still moves

through His Church—  

to preach,  

to heal,  

to lift the broken,  

to shake the dust when needed,  

to stay faithful to the work.

He shields those who take refuge in Him.

And even as a deacon,  

I stand in that long line of mission—  

my ministry,  

my responsibilities,  

my family, my community.  

Not perfect.  

Not finished.  

But carried by the same Spirit  

that carried them.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, 

Keep my heart

steady in Your truth.  

Guide my steps

in the mission You entrust.  

Strengthen my voice

to speak Your Word with love.  

Shield me when the road feels

thin and weary.  

Let Your Spirit carry me

farther than I can go alone.

Amen