DEATH WISH

DEATH WISH

 

“I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one.” – John 17:15

 

When I first became a Christian, I wanted to die, literally. I saw no point in continuing to live and be vulnerable to sin when I could be with God in heaven as promised by Jesus. But then years went by and I’m still alive and well. So I decided that since I cannot be in heaven now, I might as well find ways to be closer to God here on earth. I started serving in church as a member of the choir. I shared my faith and gave hope to discouraged friends. I sought to purify myself by leading my thoughts to God even as I struggle with the daily realities of living in a material world.

          Little by little, although the longing for God remains, the yearning to die has waned. And one day, it dawned on me. The kingdom of heaven may be out of sight for now, but the Kingdom of God is already here, and I helped establish it.

By living my faith, instead of just dying for it, I brought God closer to myself and to everyone I shared Him with. I think I may like to live for many more years, after all. Cecilia Lim (cez_lim@yahoo.com)

 

REFLECTION:

God sent us into this world to help establish His Kingdom. What can you do to help?

 

Holy Father, protect me as I complete my journey to heaven.

 

CONSECRATED IN THE TRUTH

 

In His encounter with the scribes, Pharisees and elders of the people, Jesus saw so much hypocrisy and fiddling around with the truth. Disgusted with their self-righteousness, Jesus openly condemned them, calling them hypocrites, whitewashed tombs and brood of vipers. Jesus did not want His disciples to be anything like them. He does not want any of us, His present-day disciples, to be hypocrites, self-righteous and liars as well. In the Gospel today, Jesus consecrates us, His disciples then and now, in the truth.

What does it mean to be consecrated in the truth?

First, to be consecrated in the truth means to love the truth always. A lover of truth always seeks the truth, promotes the truth and defends the truth at all cost.

Second, to be consecrated in the truth means to know the truth. Seeking, promoting and defending the truth require knowing the truth.

Third, to be consecrated in the truth means to live by the truth. It is not enough to know the truth; we must be truthful, too.

In the First Reading today, St. Paul warns the Christians in Ephesus against fierce wolves as he bids them farewell. He knows that when he is gone, men will be “coming forward with a travesty of truth on their lips to induce the disciples to follow them.” These men, whom St. Paul calls “fierce wolves,” will have no mercy on the flock. Such men (and women) still prowl around like a roaring lion and, as St. Peter describes them in one of his epistles, looking for someone to devour. They are the best examples of what it means to not be consecrated in the truth and they continue to gain allies until today. It is for this reason that Jesus sends His Spirit. The Holy Spirit guides unto all truth. Teaching and reminding all that Jesus said, the Holy Spirit is the Advocate against “fierce wolves” and the Paraclete who aids fidelity to the truth.

By virtue of our baptism, we have been consecrated in the truth. With the Holy Spirit in our hearts, let us live according to this consecration. Jesus prays for us in the Gospel today; let us grant Him His prayer. Fr. Bobby Titco

 

Reflection Question:

Baptism consecrated me to the truth. Am I really truthful?

 

Pour upon me, Jesus, Your gift of truthfulness. May I not only know the truth. Make me always truthful, too. Amen.

 

Blessed Alcuin, pray for us.