A few choice words — that's what Jesus gives us this morning — a few choice words about our lives and faith. Just hours before being arrested, just hours before being tried and condemned, Jesus gathered his disciples around him and in all sincerity bowed his head and prayed for them and for us. These words from John 17 are part of a great discourse recorded by the gospel writer John, part of a great priestly prayer that Jesus offered up to his heavenly Father. These are words that unite us to God. And in them Jesus petitions his heavenly Father to protect us. He prays that we may continue his work and his prayer. In this prayer he prays for heavenly protection as we go forth one in faith and one in service.

Back in the days of King Arthur, a young knight would be invited to the banquet fe…