O dearest Lord Jesus Christ, our Eternal Priest and Savior, thank you so much for praying for us your disciples, thank you for consecrating us to the Father in truth, most of all, thank you for praying for our protection against the evil one (John 17:14-19).
How lovely it is that you, O Lord, personally prayed for us! It is so touching, so humbling.
But most blessed of all, dear Jesus, is how you have fulfilled yourself your prayer said at the Last Supper right away the following day on the Cross.
Therefore, he had to become like his brothers in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
Hebrews 2:17-18
Forgive us, Jesus when we especially your ordained priests live so detached from you, when we have forgotten your priesthood is for others, not for us; when we think more of our comfort and well-being, enslaved by the lures of the world, from flesh to the latest gadgets and even way of life.
Forgive us, Jesus when we especially your ordained priests forget the very essence of your victimhood as Priest, offering your very self, flesh and blood, to nourish the people when we escape and deny all kinds of pains and sufferings, or the Cross itself.
Continue to pray for us, Lord Jesus Christ, our Eternal Priest that like you, we your disciples especially us your ordained priests may imitate you, live like you, suffer like you so that we may rise to new life like you. Pray that we may fulfill your prayers for us in words and in deeds. Amen.
