Mass Readings and Reflection for Wednesday May 20th, 2026

First Reading: (Acts 20:28-38)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 68)

Response: You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.

Gospel: (John 17:11–19)

Reflection

Mass was beautiful at St. Bartholomew this morning. Jesus makes a striking statement in today’s Gospel prayer at mass:

“I am not asking you to remove them from the world, but to protect them from the evil one.” (John 17:15).

In other words, be in the world but not of the world. It's not easy but the grace of God will get us there. And of couse, this statement touches one of the greatest questions many of us ask:
Why does evil exist in the world? Why does God not simply destroy the devil and put an end to evil once and for all?

God does not remove evil by taking away human freedom. Evil entered the world through freedom, and God respects that freedom. Evil exists, and we encounter it daily. The question is not how to escape the world, but how to live faithfully within it.

Jesus himself did not run away from the world. He lived among evil, opposition, betrayal, hatred, and suffering. Yet he remained faithful and victorious. Therefore, he prayed not that his disciples be removed from the world, but that they be protected from the evil one.

The Christian ideal is not escape from trials, temptations, or suffering. Rather, it is the grace to endure them, the wisdom to confront them, and the strength to overcome them.

We do not pray for a life without hardship. We pray for courage in hardship.

Jesus reminds us of the prayer he taught us:

“Do not let us fall into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

As Christians, we cannot ask God to prevent every suffering or remove every difficult person from our lives. Instead, we ask for the grace to carry the cross whenever it comes.

A student cannot pray that examinations never come. If there are no examinations, then what is the purpose of being a student? Rather, the student prays for understanding, memory, and success in the midst of the examinations.

Likewise, Christians live in a world filled with temptation, trials, and evil. We cannot ask God to take us out of the world as though we wish to stroll into heaven without struggle. Instead, we ask for the grace to stand firm and remain faithful.

The prayer of the Christian is not:

“Lord, remove the cup.”

But rather:

“Lord, give me the grace to drink it faithfully.”

Alleluia and  

Amen.

God bless you and keep you 🙏