We hear Paul finishing his farewell address to the Church in Ephesus in today’s first reading from Acts. Interestingly, Paul recounts words of Jesus that do not appear in any of the four Gospels. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” In his address, Paul talks about “all who are consecrated.” And in the Gospel reading, Jesus says, “I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”
Consecrate means to make holy, or to set apart for a sacred purpose. Jesus certainly took care of His part. But what about us? Have we been “consecrated in truth?” As members of the Church, I think we can say that we have been consecrated in truth. But I think that Church membership alone really doesn’t mean much. You see, we have been consecrated, i.e. set apart for a sacred purpose. The question is, what is our response?
Through our baptism, confirmation, reception of the Eucharist and many other ways, we are made holy. And by that “consecration” we are empowered to fulfill the Great Commission. So let’s remember that God has consecrated us, but that’s not the end of the story. In fact, now the work is just beginning! So let’s get at it, shall we?
Father, we thank you for consecrating us in truth. Help us to remember our calling, and to work to build the Kingdom, that others may be consecrated, too. Amen.
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