Today’s Readings:
Acts 20:28-38
Ps 68:29-30, 33-36ab
John 17:11b-19
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052423.cfm
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-may-24-2023
Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock
of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers,
in which you tend the Church of God
that he acquired with his own Blood.
I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you,
and they will not spare the flock.
And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth
to draw the disciples away after them.
So be vigilant and remember that for three years, night and day,
I unceasingly admonished each of you with tears.
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.
I have never wanted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.
You know well that these very hands
have served my needs and my companions.
In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort
we must help the weak,
and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said,
‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
In Today’s Gospel Jesus Sacrifices his own name for the sanctification of every believer of his name and God made his name above all name so that every knee will bend and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
God’s ways are sacrificial love to build the Kingdom of God on this Earth. Lord Jesus passed on this name of his to all followers so that they may sacrifice their name to build the Kingdom of God on this Earth. The people who died themselves by losing their name and fame, God lifted them in glory after their death. There is no saint or Holy men and Lord Jesus himself was despised by his own people and killed during their life in this World. This is the reason Lord Jesus said those who lose their life to build the Kingdom of God on this Earth will save it but those who build their name on this Earth will lose in the Kingdom of God .
St.Paul explains us how the followers and appointed People of God will deceive the flock , he says from your own group men will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them. We can see two aspects in this: one is truth is manipulated and second is to drag people to follow their own name or group. We see in the Church, Nations, Societies, Organisations or even in the families groupism or division’s in the name of so and so…..who is this so and so is a question to ponder in each of our life. Do we run after names and groups or seek the sacrificial truth of sacrifice which Jesus tought us in the Be Attitudes. Blessed are poor in spirit and theirs is the kindom of God. Blessed are persecuted for my name sake, Blessed are peace makers and so on.
We see the truth of Christ’s Sacrifice of love has been manipulated to the power and Authority and Prosperity of this Earth. There is no Christianity without Sacrifice which is the action of love. There is no Building of the Kingdom without persecution. If we want to bear the passed on name of Jesus which was a consecrated prayer of truth at the last hour of his death then we also must face the cross of our life.There is no glorification of our name without dying to our own name and fame. The truth is revealed through the death on the cross, those who embrace that cross of love, the real truth is revealed only to them.
If any preacher or group or Centre or parish or Priest preach other than this message of Christ is like a Wolf who manipulates the truth of the Gospel and attracts the ignorant and innocent people in to their own self made groups or names. There is no truth in them not in their Spiritualities. We see so many extreme Spiritualities of Power houses and crowd pulling tactics, friends believe me these are the Wolves of our time where the truth of love and sacrifice has been manipulated to the power and Self glory. They do not give not even a single penny for the poor but have a great heart to the people who give them donations. They do not Work but most of them are full timers. St Paul clearly says he worked for his daily bread in his own hands. It is more blessed than to give than to receive.
Prayer: Lord Jesus consecrate us to your name so that we may understand the truth which you revealed to your followers at the last hour of your death. Amen
PRAYER REFLECTIONS 