Word to the Wise
Wednesday, June 5, 2019 - 7th Week of Easter - Wed
[Acts 20:28-38 and John 17:11b-19]"Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the word. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth." [John] "And now I commend you to God and to that gracious word of his that can build you up and give you the inheritance among all who are consecrated." [Acts]
JUNE 5 ST. BONIFACE, bishop and martyr
Today's scripture passages are filled with "parting words." Jesus speaks of "consecrating" the disciples in the truth. Paul speaks of the "word" of God that can "build you up and give you the inheritance among all who are consecrated." The word means to make holy and set apart for sacred purposes. The disciples at the Last Supper and the Elders of the community at Miletus are all being told that the one who has given them hope and faith will be physically gone and the work of the gospel is now in their hands. It is now in our hands, too!
Any group founded by a charismatic person faces the ultimate challenge that the founder(s) will age and die, and the continued existence of the group or movement is placed in new hands. Christianity survived that crisis with the help of the Holy Spirit. But that survival cannot be taken for granted. The saint of the day, Boniface, considered the work of evangelization worth his life. There are young men and women putting their lives on the line in the military every day to preserve the United States of America. Can we do the same for our faith in Christ? Consecration is no small matter, and we have received that consecration in baptism. We are the descendants of the disciples at the Last Supper and the work of the gospel is in our hands. AMEN