Jesus' prayer for the future Church continues His prayer for His disciples. The life which Jesus gives His disciples is passed on through the word of His disciples to the disciples who came after them.

The missionary aspect of the Church comes through in both readings. For Paul, "the least of all the disciples" is given the command to go to the ends of the world - Rome. The witnessing aspect of the disciples' mission is emphasized. They are to remain close to Jesus - having His mind and heart as they bring His word to others. The unity of the disciples among themselves and with the Father and the Son will be the unique witnessing sign of the Church.

The temptation to branch out on one's own is always present in the missionary as it was in the disciples. Let us pray for one another that our zeal to bring God's Word to people of all nations will remain rooted in the love of the Father and the Son. May we learn to listen to His voice when He urges us not to lose heart but to go on proclaiming the Good News.