7TH WEDNESDAY HOMILY IN EASTERTIDE — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: “THAT THEY MAY BE ONE JUSTICE AS WE ARE.”
BY: Fr. Mike Lagrimas
Acts 20:28–38; John 17:18–19
Lifting up His eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying, “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are. When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. 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 the truth. Your word is 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.”
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One of the wonderful experiences is travelling aboard a luxury cruise ship. All the amenities that are found in a five-star hotel are there: nice rooms, restaurants, live music, casino, swimming pool, gym, basketball and tennis courts and many more. That is why it is understandable for any passenger to think that it is already his home. He needs, therefore, to look outside once in a while to be reminded that he is just a traveler en route to a particular destination.
This is the case with so many people in the world. They easily forget that they are ‘in the world’ but not ʹof the world’. St. Thérèse of Lisieux reminds us, ʺThe world is thy ship and not thy home.ʺ The Lord Jesus points this out in His High Priestly Prayer for the sake of His disciples. “They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world.” He, then, fervently prayed for them. There are several petitions He made to the Father on their account.
In the first place, He was fully aware of the dangers His disciples will face due to their commitment to His Gospel. They will be hated and persecuted by the world. Interestingly, though, He made a rather strange request to the Father: “I do not ask that you take them out of the world.” Being the ‘leaven of society’ and the ‘salt of the earth’, they have to be in the midst of the world. This is precisely the exhortation of Vatican II’s Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World: they “are not only bound to penetrate the world with a Christian spirit, but are also called to be witnesses to Christ in all things in the midst of human society” (GS, no. 43).
Secondly, in the conduct of their mission, the disciples have to remain united, first and foremost with Him, and then with themselves. Unity is the fruit and concrete manifestation of God’s presence, giving them strength, guidance and inspiration. Hence, He prayed to the Father, “that they may be one just as we are.” This unity will fill them with peace and joy even amidst trials and difficulties: “so that they may share my joy completely.”
And, finally, confronted with various challenges, temptations and attacks of the enemy, the followers of Christ need divine protection. So, He implored the Father, “that you keep them from the evil one.” But then again, in line with this, He made another unusual request: “Consecrate them in the truth.” One may ask, what does the truth have anything to do with protecting them from the evil one?
The Lord declared, “the truth will set you free.” (Jn 8:32). Lies and deceptions enslave. And it must be pointed out that the devil is the Prince of Lies (John 8:44). He uses lies and deceit to hide and suppress the truth, thus, bringing disunity and destruction, and plunge societies into chaos and misery. That is why Jesus implored the Father that His disciples be consecrated in the truth so that they do not fall prey to the devil. Needless to say, the reign of truth is key to peace, unity and salvation. And since Jesus is Himself the Truth, being consecrated in the truth simply means being consecrated in the Person of Jesus Christ: “I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.” Thus, they certainly enjoy the protection of the Father from the evil one.
We live in this valley of tears, but we are not here to stay forever. We are on our way to our heavenly home. Turbulence and violent waves are expected, but we should always have confidence and be at peace. Jesus is with us all the way. He is even praying for us, that we may always remain one, filled with joy, and being consecrated in the truth, enjoy the protection and providence of our loving heavenly Father.
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