MEDITATION ON OUR LORD'S PASSION: Of Them Whom Thou Hast Given Me, I Have Not Lost Any One

MANTEGNA, Andrea 

Agony in the Garden (detail) 

c. 1459

Again therefore he asked them: Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he. If therefore you seek me, let these go their way. That the word might be fulfilled which he said: Of them whom thou hast given me, I have not lost any one. Jn.xviii.

Consider first the malice of the wicked, which is pacified, neither with sweetness, nor punishment.  For the blindness of obdurate malice doth increase: as in these men who being taught & admonished who Christ was, did not yet acknowledge him: For they answered not, we seek thee, but, speaking as it were of another, they said Jesus of Nazareth.

Consider secondly the great care, which Christ had of his people, of whom in so great perils he was more careful, then of himself. This is the perfect love of our neighbors to help them though it be hard to our own loss.

Thirdly if in so great adversity he had care of a few Apostles, will he not now being free from all perils, & quiet, be careful in heaven for his only beloved spouse the whole Church? Yes verily he is careful & desirous to help every particular member there of. This place is full of comfort, to consider that our Lord thinketh on thee.

Consider fourthly how our Lord doth glory in this, that he had not lost any of his Disciples. In like manner how much cause of joy mayest thou conceive, if no man be the worse by thy words, example, or negligence; but thou hast rather gained, and preserved many.

Lastly pray thou unto Christ, that he wll never cease to have care over thee.

Fr. Francis Costerus S.J. 1616