In both the readings, Paul's parting words to the Church of Ephesus and Jesus to His disciples reflect the deep sentiment that they shared as they prayed.

In the Gospel, we find Jesus requesting that the Father keep and sanctify the disciples, who will now assume the place 'in the world' that he has held. These departing words of Jesus remind us that though the disciples remain in the world and are subject to its influence, they are 'not of the world.' We are also commissioned to take Jesus' place 'in the world.' This is the mission: to witness to what Jesus shared as he had seen and heard from the Father. This is precisely our mission today!

Paul in his address to the Church of Ephesus reflects the same message. What is consoling in both:

Jesus ¡K "All I have is you and you have is mine and in them I am glorified."

Paul ¡K "I commend you to God and to the word of his grace that has power to build you up and to give you your inheritance among all the sanctified."

Meditating on these words helps us situate ourselves in our relationship with the Risen Lord. Do we bear the words of Jesus in our hearts, and know that our mission is to be His true witnesses?