Today’s Mass ponders the meaning of Jesus’ enthronement as Lord and his sending of the church to continue his mission, which we celebrated in the Ascension; it also anticipates his gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus concludes his farewell discourse to his disciples (ch 14-17) with a prayer for them (17:9-19) and for all believers (17:20-26). In this prayer, he confidently places his concern for his followers in the Father’s hands. Until now, his presence has assured their unity and growth in faith. Now that he is leaving, this unity is endangered, and must take on a new and more complete dimension to survive and be fruitful.

This new dimension is "holiness" or "consecration," which in a limited sense may mean removal or separation from the world (v 5). Yet mere protection from the world is not the answer, for this cannot redeem the world. "Consecration in truth" (v 19) does not consist in isolation but in immersion into the fullness of reality (= truth), of which the world itself is a part (not, however, the "spirit of the world" which is self-centered blindness to the beyond). True holiness is characterized by a vision and a way of acting that regards the world as a sacrament of God — revealing as well as hiding him, and open to being transformed by his love.

The disciples in the upper room have become aware of Jesus’ enthronement as Lord and Messiah, and are now awaiting his return as he had promised (v 11). They do not know what form this return will take, and so they wait in confidence and prayer. (Jesus’ return was begun on Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit renewed the disciples in his life and impelled them to continue his mission. His return will be fulfilled at the end of time.) Meanwhile, the Twelve consider it important to restore their full number, after the desertion of Judas. This number looks backward to the twelve tribes of Israel (whom the apostles would judge, i.e., lead; see Lk 22:30; for the idea of judge as leader, see Jdgs 2:16-18) and forward to symbolize leadership of the Church in its fullness (the number "twelve" represents completion).

This is an enthronement psalm which emphasizes the fatherly love of God and his justice towards the poor. Response: "The Lord has set his throne in heaven."

Faith rests on a precarious foundation — no one has seen God (v 12). Knowledge of him is based on testimony (v 14), a testimony of action. One who truly believes in Jesus Christ lives accordingly, and the love of God shines through his life and bears witness to that love for all to see.

1. What is a sacrament? How and in what sense can the world be called a sacrament?

2. What is the relationship between what you believe and what you do? How do actions speak?