Gleanings from Orthodox Christian Authors and the Holy Fathers

john17_11

2 Entries

`And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom Thou has given Me, that they may be one, as We are.' Why does the Lord say the He is no more in the world? Because His work is finished, and He is waiting only to undergo the last and greatest sufferings, and to seal the finished work with His innocent blood. See with what delicacy He prays for His disciples!

Not even a mother would so pray for her own children. `Holy Father! Keep them! He is leaving them as lambs among wolves. Were a fatherly eye from heaven not to be watching over them, they would all be slain by the wolves. `Keep them in Thy name' - as a Parent, as a Father. Be a father to them, as Thou art to Me and, in Thy fatherly love, keep them and defend them from evil wolves, and lead them to `be one, as We are.' In this perfect unity, not only the all-conquering power of the faithful, but also the glory of God, will be seen; yes, and God's very being. As the Father and the Son are one in essence, differing only in Person, so let it be among the faithful, many and varied in person, but essentially one in love, will and mind. St. (Bp.) Nikolai Velimirovic, Homilies, Vol. I

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`And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom Thou has given Me, that they may be one, as We are.' Why does the Lord say the He is no more in the world? Because His work is finished, and He is waiting only to undergo the last and greatest sufferings, and to seal the finished work with His innocent blood. See with what delicacy He prays for His disciples!

Not even a mother would so pray for her own children. `Holy Father! Keep them! He is leaving them as lambs among wolves. Were a fatherly eye from heaven not to be watching over them, they would all be slain by the wolves. `Keep them in Thy name' - as a Parent, as a Father. Be a father to them, as Thou art to Me and, in Thy fatherly love, keep them and defend them from evil wolves, and lead them to `be one, as We are.' In this perfect unity, not only the all-conquering power of the faithful, but also the glory of God, will be seen; yes,! and God's very being. As the Father and the Son are one in essence, differing only in Person, so let it be among the faithful, many and varied in person, but essentially one in love, will and mind. St. (Bp.) Nikolai Velimirovic, Homilies, Vol. I

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