[stephenkhoo]

CONSECRATED TO GOD FOR THE SALVATION OF HUMANITY
SCRIPTURE READINGS: [ ACTS 20:28-38; PS 68:29-30,33-36; JOHN 17:11-19 ]

In both scripture readings, Jesus and St Paul underscore the priority of Christian life and the foundation for all human activity and the mission of the Church. St Paul advised the elders of the church of Ephesus: “Be on your guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you the overseers, to feed the Church of God which he bought with his own blood.” At the end of today’s gospel, Jesus prayed, “Consecrate them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world, and for their sake I consecrate myself so that they too may be consecrated in truth.”

What does it mean to be consecrated? When we consecrate someone or something, we are setting aside the person or thing for the glory of God and for His service. So priests and religious are consecrated to God so that they can be dedicated to the service of God. The life of St Paul was consecrated for the mission to the Gentiles. Jesus Himself was consecrated as well for the proclamation of the Good News. Jesus was also set apart, as He said at the beginning of His mission, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.” (Lk 4:18)

Relating to the word, “consecration” is “sanctification.” It is significant that the word “Consecrate” is a compound word comprising of “with” and “sacred.” And so to be consecrated is to dedicate ourselves to God, to be set aside for God and thus become sacred. Consecration involves separation from the world especially anything that would take away one’s relationship with God or lessen one’s commitment to the mission the Lord has given to him or her. We are therefore called to sanctify ourselves, to be made holy because we have dedicated ourselves completely to the glory of God and His service.

The danger of consecration and holiness is that it can be done in a selfish and individualistic manner. Some consecrate their lives to God presumably because they love God and they want to share in His life and His love. But their motivation is only for their own happiness and a guarantee of their salvation. In other words, there are some people who strive for holiness so that they can earn for themselves a place in heaven, not because they truly love God for God’s sake, much less still for their neighbor’s sake. Whilst it is true that we are called to love God above all things, with all our heart, mind, soul and strength, we must not forget that the true measure of our love for God is love for our neighbours.

Today’s scripture readings provide us the true motive for consecrating ourselves to God. To be consecrated is to give glory to God. When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, “Holy be your name”, we are praying that whatever we do, we reflect the glory of God in our lives, especially His character of love and truth. Jesus prayed, “Holy Father, keep those you have given me true to your name, so that they may be one like us. While I was with them, I kept those you had given me true to your name.” The entire life of Jesus was to give glory to God, which is expressed clearly in the priestly prayer of our Lord. As the High Priest, Jesus said, “I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.” (Jn 17:4f) The call to holiness is what the Lord commands His people to do. “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” In this way, the Lord said, “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Mt 5:16) So the best way to glorify God and to make Him known is through a life of holiness.

Secondly, we are consecrated for the sake of others. St Paul reminded the elders in Ephesus that they must be on guard for themselves first so that they could oversee the flock of God entrusted to them. Unless, we as leaders are consecrated in the truth, we cannot lead others to Him. Before we can tend the flock of Christ, feed them, protect them and lead them, we must first be fed, be protected and be led by the Chief Shepherd of His flock. This is why our Lord first and foremost consecrated Himself to God so that He could in turn consecrate His disciples to Him. “Consecrate them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world, and for their sake I consecrate myself so that they too may be consecrated in truth.” Indeed, the desire for sanctification cannot be simply for ourselves, our salvation and our security. It must be done for the good of others so that we can lead them to the Lord.

This is the constant temptation of leaders. Many of them are more concerned about their responsibility, their work and their projects. They are busy building the Church of God, extending His mission, constructing new churches, planning programs, engaging in humanitarian works, but they have little time for personal prayer, for the reading and study of scriptures, for a fervent celebration of the sacraments. When we do not spend time with the Lord, we will be soiled by the world because we are in the world. The greatest tragedy as St Paul warns us is this, “I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.” (1 Cor 9:26f)

How do we sanctify ourselves for the glory of God and His people? Firstly, we must be consecrated in the truth. What is the truth if not our Lord Himself. Jesus is the Word of God in person. We must have a deep relationship with the Lord, spending time with Him just as our Lord spent time with His Father in close intimacy when He was on earth. This union with God is not just of the heart but also of the mind. So it is necessary that if we are to be consecrated in the truth, then we must be familiar with the scriptures, praying, reading and studying the Word of God every day, and also be well instructed in the faith and doctrines of the Church through ongoing formation and updating.

Secondly, we must stay united with the Church. As St Paul wrote, “if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth.” (1 Tim 3:15) Jesus is the Head of the Church and we are His body. Therefore, we cannot be in union with the Lord if we are also not in union with the Church. This explains why the Lord in His priestly prayer, prayed for the unity of His disciples. “Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.” (Jn 17:11) Truly, St Paul in the first reading warns that opposition and persecution will not come only from without but also from within. “I know quite well that when I have gone fierce wolves will invade you and will have no mercy on the flock. Even from your own ranks there will be men coming forward with a travesty of the truth on their lips to induce the disciples to follow them.”

If the Church is in disarray today, it is simply because we have failed to take heed of the advice of St Paul to be on guard for ourselves as leaders of the Church. Because we are not grounded in Him, in the scriptures and right doctrines, some leaders who have been misled and confused by the world have led astray the flock of Christ by introducing heresies and moral relativism into the Church. It is bad enough that we are led astray but when we lead those under our charge astray then the Lord would say, “If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of stumbling blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling block comes!” (Mt 18:6f) We must follow the example of St Paul by living a holy and exemplary life in truth and in charity, in total giving of ourselves entirely to the People of God and for the glory of our heavenly Father.