Word to the Wise
Wednesday, May 11, 2016 - 7th Week of Easter - Wed
[Acts 20:28-38 and John 17:11b-19,]"I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the Evil One. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth." [John]
Our gospel scripture continues in the "high priestly prayer" of Jesus at the Last Supper in the Gospel of John. Jesus is praying to the Father on behalf of the disciples. In the portion given for today, we see two important words: "world" and "truth."
The "world" includes all those who for various reasons do not believe in Jesus as the one whom God has sent. The "truth" is Jesus as the one whom the Father has sent. Later on, Jesuss will confront Pilate: "For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." Pilate's response shows that he belongs to the world: "What is truth?" It was standing right in front of him! In Jesus' words, "listens to my voice," we find an echo of the image of the shepherd and sheep who listen to his voice.
One of the principal mottos of the Dominican Order is the word, "Veritas!" - Latin for TRUTH. We know that this has to be the focus of our preaching because it is the reason St. Dominic founded our order - to tell the truth about Jesus. We invite everyone to join us in this ministry. Jesus is praying for us all to succeed. AMEN