Your word is truth, O Lord:
consecrate us in the truth. JN 17:17
ACTS 20:28-38 ©
My Soul's Beloved,
Today the Church in her Liturgy of the Holy Mass gives us two farewell addresses for our reflection in the first one St. Paul addresses the leaders and the flock in the Church before he sets sail. He tells them he will never see them again.
Among the many instructions, he gives them are also warnings of the dangers they face from those who are bitterly opposed to You, to the Church, and to Your followers. He warns them to be vigilant for the enemies are not only without but also within. The sad truth is that all that St. Paul said to those who came to say goodbye to him that day, more than 2000 years ago, holds true to this day. He could be speaking to us in our time and we ought to heed his warning for it is just as relevant today as then.
‘Be on your guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you the overseers, to feed the Church of God which he bought with his own blood. I know quite well that when I have gone fierce wolves will invade you and will have no mercy on the flock. Even from your own ranks there will be men coming forward with a travesty of the truth on their lips to induce the disciples to follow them.’
We must be vigilant always, and the sure way to guard against the wiles of the fierce, rapacious wolves is to stay close to Holy Mother Church and trust in You to keep us safe in Your love.
Prominent leaders in the Church as well as those ordained as shepherds of the flock have misused and abused their power by all kinds of misconduct and the wounds they have caused on Your Body go deep. Many members of Your Body are wounded so gravely that they have cut themselves off from the Vine.
May we O Lord, never fail to pray for the Church, her leaders, support her in every way, and do all in our power to heal the wounds of those who have been hurt. St. Paul tells us that the way to do this is to ‘exert ourselves to support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, who himself said, “There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.”’
JOHN 17:11-19 ©
My Soul's Beloved,
In the three short years of Your public ministry, You revealed, taught, and did all that the Father asked You to. Love is more than just a word but operates actively always. Love does not sleep. Love does not waver. Love cannot be put to death because love cannot die. Love, even though it dies, lives. This is what the Father desired You to make known to us by Your incarnation.
Who is lost, Beloved? Those who choose to be lost, like Judas. We have this assurance from You, that no one who remains faithful to You no matter how weak they may be, no matter how often they fall in a day, no matter if they are only clinging to the hem of Your garment by a thread will not be lost for You are a God who saves. We are saved by the power of Your Name, Jesus, meaning one who saves.
You prayed to the heavenly Father for me. I am saved. While it is true my Lord, that wretch that I am I deserve hell, I cling to Your feet and will not let go and in Your great mercy and compassion, You will not permit me to be lost forever.
Not only is every member of the Church called by Your Name, we are covered by Your Blood, we are sanctified by the Holy Spirit and sealed in His love which unites us irrevocably to God, our Father. No one is lost except those who choose to be lost.
Grant us this grace O Lord, to be always aware that although we are in the world we do not belong to it - we are citizens of heaven and consecrated to You who are the incarnate Truth.
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