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Wednesday 7th Week
Easter
St. Luke’s Institute
May 20, 2015
2 DIFFERENT
FAREWELLS ++++++++++++++++++++++
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Both
readings today come from farewell messages
Ø
The
1st is from Paul as he leaves Ephesus and his sorrowing Christians
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In
Gospel we hear part of Priestly Prayer of Jesus in the midst of his farewell at
the Last Supper
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Contrast
these farewells 2 others in SS that include a hope that those left behind would
carry out revenge on the enemies of the dying
LOVING FAREWELLS ++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Message
in the 2 farewells today is quite different
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Both
R free of spite & full of self-giving spirit of J
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We
may take 4 granted that the XTN should B free of desires 4 revenge or from
holding grudge…
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But
we must also admit that the temptation to get even is strong
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Need
I say more on that point! We’ve all felt it, I’m sure
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Much
of the spirit of world around us is centered on self, its protection, its
rights & getting its due
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When
we assist at altar, we’ve put before us self-giving sacrifice of J & his
gift of self 2 God & us
Ø
To
hear the same message in our readings only reinforces its centrality
PAUL & JESUS +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Paul
quotes an otherwise unreported line from Jesus: “It is more blessed to give that to receive”
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He
uses the line 2 support putting service and the needs of others, 1st
…
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&
this rather than our own self-seeking interests
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J’s
language about “consecrating” is of same tenor
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This
isn’t about consecration in narrower sense of the change in the bread and wine
at Mass…
Ø
But
in the sense of giving oneself, dedicating oneself, to God and for the good of
others…
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“I consecrate myself for them, so
that they also may be consecrated in truth”
CONCLUSION ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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The
readings lead us to ask, “When we made
our farewells to parishes & ministries what was their quality?”
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Paul
and Jesus serve as good models and it’s a lesson that may be both timely and
well placed!
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