Frederick, Maryland, United States - Daily Mass Reading & Catholic Meditation “The Word Among Us” for Wednesday, 4 June 2014

Frederick, Maryland, United States - Daily Mass Reading & Catholic Meditation “The Word Among Us” for Wednesday, 4 June 2014
Meditations: John 17:11 I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them through your name which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are. 12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name. Those whom you have given me I have kept. None of them is lost, except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I come to you, and I say these things in the world, that they may have my joy made full in themselves. 14 I have given them your word. The world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth.[a] 18 As you sent me into the world, even so I have sent them into the world. 19 For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.
Footnotes:
a. John 17:17 Psalm 119:142
7th Week of Easter
I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth. (John 17:19)
Did you hear that? Take a moment right now to set aside all your other thoughts and concerns, and focus on this amazing truth. Jesus has consecrated himself for us! He, the holy, pure, righteous Son of God, has chosen to devote his entire life to you. Who could imagine such incredible love?
We think about consecration in terms of being set apart—separated from common use and reserved for a sacred purpose. We think of a church as a consecrated building or a chalice as a consecrated cup. Or we think about a person who is dedicated solely to the service and worship of God—a priest or a religious brother or sister. We may occasionally think of ourselves as consecrated, too, as we try to separate ourselves from the world and serve God. In other words, we think of people or things that aren’t God being dedicated to God.
But in today’s Gospel, Jesus turns the tables. He makes it clear that he considers each one of us to be completely worth his devotion and dedication. He willingly sets himself apart for us!
Benjamin Franklin, the noted American thinker, once said, “God helps those who help themselves.” While the sentiment may be inspiring, this passage paints a different picture. Jesus didn’t wait for us to begin “helping ourselves” before he consecrated himself to us. Just as he loved us before we loved him, so too did he consecrate himself to us before we consecrated ourselves to anything.
Of course, Jesus wants us to consecrate ourselves to him. But he wants us to do it out of love and gratitude, not because we are afraid of his retribution or rejection. Jesus already belongs to us. Now he wants us to belong to him.
Today, take a good long look at yourself in the mirror. Tell yourself, “I am highly valued. Jesus Christ, the Lord of all creation, considered me worth dying for. He treasures me so deeply that he is now consecrated to me for all eternity. He will never abandon me. He will never leave me. He will never forget me.”
“Jesus, I am humbled by your commitment to me. Come, Lord, and fill my heart. Help me to consecrate my life to you.” Amen.

Acts 20:28 Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and [a] God which he purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I didn’t cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears. 32 Now, brothers,[b] I entrust you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one’s silver, or gold, or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands served my necessities, and those who were with me. 35 In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
36 When he had spoken these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 They all wept a lot, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, 38 sorrowing most of all because of the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.
Footnotes:
a. Acts 20:28 TR, NU omit “the Lord and”
b. Acts 20:32 The word for “brothers” here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”
Psalm 68:29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem,
    kings shall bring presents to you.
30 Rebuke the wild animal of the reeds,
    the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the peoples.
Being humbled, may it bring bars of silver.
    Scatter the nations that delight in war.
33 To him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which are of old;
    behold, he utters his voice, a mighty voice.
34 Ascribe strength to God!
    His excellency is over Israel,
    his strength is in the skies.
35 You are awesome, God, in your sanctuaries.
    The God of Israel gives strength and power to his people.
    Praise be to God!
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