Readings from Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible at Universalis
Commentary:
Reading 1 Acts 20:28-38
The discourse St. Paul began yesterday is concluded today. He is speaking to the presbyters that have been appointed over the various communities around Ephesus (a very large city at the time). He has already explained that he is returning to Jerusalem and does not believe he will see them again. Now he tells them to be on guard against false prophets and teachers and against members of their own communities who will spread dissension. He reminds them, finally, to keep focused on the Lord’s commands and to remain charitable.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 68:29-30, 33-35a, 35bc-36ab
R. Sing to God, O Kingdoms of the earth.
We continue in Psalm 68 for a third day. Our hymn of thanksgiving sings of the great favor the Lord has show to his chosen people. It rejoices in God’s salvation.
Gospel Jn 17:11b-19
We continue the “High Priestly Prayer” started in St. John’s Gospel yesterday. This part of the prayer begins with a plea for unity between the Father and disciples (note the reference here to Judas Iscariot as the “son of destruction). Still speaking directly to God, Jesus again says he is going to the Father and that the disciples should share his joy at prospect. He then asks the father to keep them safe from the poison of sin (similar here to the petition in the Lord’s Prayer) and to consecrate them in truth (defining truth as the Word).
Reflection:
The Gospel of John is very heady stuff when it comes to grist for spiritual reflection. The scripture is so dense we could pull it apart almost verse by verse (and many have done so). Today we hear the second of three segments of the “High Priestly Prayer”. It will be concluded in the Gospel passage we will hear tomorrow.
Today the prayer has three elements. First, Jesus prays for the disciples (and us) that we might be united with each other and with the Father. It is important to the Lord that we have this link to the Father through him. It is our life line. Next the Lord once more, though speaking to the Father, reminds us that the world hated Jesus for what he was. He goes on to say that because he has taken his disciple out of the world, the world will also hate them (it is the Great Paradox we spoke of yesterday).
In the final segment he prays “Consecrate them in the truth.” It is this that we need to understand today. According to the dictionary the most used definition of the term “consecrate” is “to make or declare sacred; set apart or dedicate to the service of a deity:” It can also mean “to admit or ordain to a sacred office” In this short petition, the Lord asks that we be set aside in the sacred truth of his Father’s gift. We are to be the holy portion infused with the truth which the Lord says is the Word or Logos. In other words we are in him and he in us, made sacred by his call.
How do we live up to what we are called to be? The prayer the Lord makes in today’s Gospel gives us renewed determination to work toward becoming that sacred portion set aside for God. It is a life’s work and today is as good as any to start afresh.
Pax
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible at Universalis
Commentary:
Reading 1 Acts 20:28-38
The discourse St. Paul began yesterday is concluded today. He is speaking to the presbyters that have been appointed over the various communities around Ephesus (a very large city at the time). He has already explained that he is returning to Jerusalem and does not believe he will see them again. Now he tells them to be on guard against false prophets and teachers and against members of their own communities who will spread dissension. He reminds them, finally, to keep focused on the Lord’s commands and to remain charitable.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 68:29-30, 33-35a, 35bc-36ab
R. Sing to God, O Kingdoms of the earth.
We continue in Psalm 68 for a third day. Our hymn of thanksgiving sings of the great favor the Lord has show to his chosen people. It rejoices in God’s salvation.
Gospel Jn 17:11b-19
We continue the “High Priestly Prayer” started in St. John’s Gospel yesterday. This part of the prayer begins with a plea for unity between the Father and disciples (note the reference here to Judas Iscariot as the “son of destruction). Still speaking directly to God, Jesus again says he is going to the Father and that the disciples should share his joy at prospect. He then asks the father to keep them safe from the poison of sin (similar here to the petition in the Lord’s Prayer) and to consecrate them in truth (defining truth as the Word).
Reflection:
The Gospel of John is very heady stuff when it comes to grist for spiritual reflection. The scripture is so dense we could pull it apart almost verse by verse (and many have done so). Today we hear the second of three segments of the “High Priestly Prayer”. It will be concluded in the Gospel passage we will hear tomorrow.
Today the prayer has three elements. First, Jesus prays for the disciples (and us) that we might be united with each other and with the Father. It is important to the Lord that we have this link to the Father through him. It is our life line. Next the Lord once more, though speaking to the Father, reminds us that the world hated Jesus for what he was. He goes on to say that because he has taken his disciple out of the world, the world will also hate them (it is the Great Paradox we spoke of yesterday).
In the final segment he prays “Consecrate them in the truth.” It is this that we need to understand today. According to the dictionary the most used definition of the term “consecrate” is “to make or declare sacred; set apart or dedicate to the service of a deity:” It can also mean “to admit or ordain to a sacred office” In this short petition, the Lord asks that we be set aside in the sacred truth of his Father’s gift. We are to be the holy portion infused with the truth which the Lord says is the Word or Logos. In other words we are in him and he in us, made sacred by his call.
How do we live up to what we are called to be? The prayer the Lord makes in today’s Gospel gives us renewed determination to work toward becoming that sacred portion set aside for God. It is a life’s work and today is as good as any to start afresh.
Pax
[1] After Links Expire
[2] The illustration is found in "Standard Bible Story Readers, Book Four" by Lillie A. Faris, published by The Standard Publishing Company, 1927, and illustrated by O. A. Stemler and Bess Bruce Cleaveland. It is felt that we should not ignore these contributions from our Protestant brethren the early 20th century.
No comments:
Post a Comment