Jesus prays for you

Homily for September 10, 2019 | Pink Sisters' Tagaytay

INTRODUCTION

Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Our Gospel today is divided into three essential scenes:

1. The Solitude of Jesus.

2. The calling of the twelve, and

3. The preaching and healing down the hill.

It shows us that prayer is central in the ministry of Jesus; he prayed before any other major step in his ministry. In our first reading, Paul affirms the Christians of Colossae of their new found life as followers and believers. The Man we remember today is a man of prayer, and a champion of souls. The Augustinian Friar St. Nicholas Tolentine won souls for Christ through his holy and passionate preaching.

HOMILY | Colossians 2:6-15 | Luke 6:12-19

There are at least two instances in the life of Jesus where he prayed for his disciples:

1. Today’s Gospel which is prior to calling them, and

2. The priestly prayer of Jesus in John 17: 6-17 or the priestly prayer of Jesus; when he was about to leave them, before his passion and death.

His priestly prayer referring to his disciples include:

• To protect them by the power of your Name,

• to protect them from the evil one,

• to sanctify them by the truth, your Word is truth.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus was praying for the disciples for HIS Ministry.

In the Priestly prayer, Jesus was praying for them for THEIR Ministry.

Jesus is praying for us all, collaborating with the father about our individual mission. This goes not only to the religious, but all of us who became disciples upon our Baptism.

This goes not only to the religious, but all of us who became disciples upon our Baptism.

What does it mean to us? Remember that after the calling, the last scene of the Gospel today is all about being with Jesus in his mission. In the Priestly Prayer of Jesus in John, he was praying that they may stand the trials that will come, and their mission later on. Jesus prayed for Peter for his perseverance and faithfulness. If Jesus is praying for us, that is because we have a mission.

If Jesus is praying for us, that is because we have a mission.

Jesus called Peter while fishing, Matthew while collecting taxes; they are called for a purpose, a new identity. The fisherman and the tax collector suddenly are following Jesus. Suddenly they were teaching and preaching. Suddenly they have assumed new purpose, one that is collaborated by Jesus and the Father. St. Paul, in our first reading affirms the new-found life of the followers in Colossae: you have found life in Christ. We have found life in Christ in the calling we were called for, and to which we responded; as Christians.

As Christian Catholics, we are asked:

1. “To ask the Lord what he wants from us, and be brave.” -Pope Francis

2. “To be men and women of Principle; principle coming from the faith.” (Col. 2:6)

3. To celebrate our calling: to be joyful, smiling Sons and daughters of God.