A PRAYER OF CONSECRATION

SABBATH

In this second Gospel installment of Jesus Christ’s High-Priestly Prayer, our Lord continues to intercede for His disciples. The opening verses are truly worth quoting: “O Father most holy, protect them with your name which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.” Towards the end of this passage too, Jesus consecrates us. In the meantime, we have in today’s first reading a similar tender moment. Paul speaks to the church leaders of Ephesus before his emotional departure. He gives them his recommendations and advice. He tells them, “I commend you now to the Lord, and to that gracious word of His which can enlarge you and give you a share among all who are consecrated to Him.” This idea of consecration deserves our consideration. TheMerriam-Webster’s 11th Collegiate Dictionary gives us at least three categories of meanings for the verb “consecrate.” But in our case, we aren’t told who is the one consecrating. The dictionary doesn’t tell us who the active agent is in the act of consecration. It should be a no-brainer, anyway: God, and God alone, is the one who consecrates. It is He who sets us apart. It is He who makes us holy. It is He who dedicates us for a special mission or purpose. In the last verse of our Gospel passage, Jesus states, “I consecrate myself for their sakes now, that they may be consecrated in truth.” Jesus may certainly consecrate Himself; we instead are consecrated by Jesus in this priestly prayer of His. He truly is our priest, interceding for us and offering us in sacrifice to the Father. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB   Reflection Question: What has the Lord set you apart for? Search for it in your heart.   Help me to become a man worthy of Your consecration, Lord.   St. Sallustian, pray for us.