Being in the World, A Christian is called upon to Rise above the World

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Easter Season : Seventh  Week :  Wednesday after Pentecost*

*Gospel : Jn 17:11b-19*

*First Reading : Acts 20:28-38*

*Being in the World, A Christian is called upon to Rise above the World*

*1) We are in the World, but not of the World*

This is what Jesus tells us. 

We have to live our life in the world, we have to carry out the mission of the Christ in the World. 

In order to do this we need to be in the World. 

But we are not of the World. 

When some one becomes of the World, he/she will live according to the standards of this World

When a persons life is governed by the standards of this World, he/she becomes of the World 

*2) A Challenging Mission*

Being in the world, to rise above the World is not very easy 

It is one of the most challenging missions of the followers of Jesus 

Since we are influenced and affected by the standards of this World, to rise above the standards of this world, needs a special efforts, charism and the commitment. Only then one is able to rise above the World, even one is in the World 

*3) Prayer is the Tool, to rise above the World*

From today's Gospel it is very clear that only prayer can help the followers of Jesus to rise above the World. 

That is why we see in today's Gospel the beautiful prayer of Jesus for His Disciples

One of the primary purposes of this prayer is to strengthen His disciples, in their struggle to rise above the World 

All those who build the Foundation of their life in prayer are able to rise above the World 

*4) Jesus prayed, We need to pray for one another*

In the process of rising above the Worldly standards, Jesus gives us a beautiful tool of prayer 

We see Jesus is praying for His disciples. Like wise we need to pray for one another in the process of rising above the World 

So it is not enough to say that Jesus is praying for us, saints are interceding for us, but we need to pray for ourselves and pray for one another in the process of rising above the World 

*5) Various Signs of Rising above the World*

If I am able to *forgive,* I don't belong to the standards of this world 

If I am able to *love*, I don't belong to the standards of this world 

If I am able to *serve the needy, speak good about others, speak the truth, and work for peace and justice,* I don't belong to the standards of this world 

If I am able to *share whatever I have with others*, I don't belong to the standards of this world 

If I am able to *humble myself at any moment* I don't belong to the standards of this world 

If I am able to *face any kinds of challenges in building the kingdom of God in this World*, I don't belong to the standards of this world 

*6) Am I in the World, of the World or above the World?*

This is the important question to reflect every day in our life 

Being in the World we are easily drown by the attractions of this World and we become the victims of the standards of this World

In this context what is my role in rising above the World

Our roots are in the World, but our fruits must be above the World, just like a lotus flower which is able to rise from the dirty things, and show itself clean and pure 

The Lotus flower is not affected by the dirty things below. 

We are called upon to live our life like the above model. Am I ready? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*