Consecration of the Church

Wednesday
Hebrews 10:26-31
A Call to Persevere
Brothers and Sisters:
For if we willfully persist in sin after having received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful prospect of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has violated the law of Moses dies without mercy “on the testimony of two or three witnesses.” How much worse punishment do you think will be deserved by those who have spurned the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant by which they were sanctified, and outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know the one who said, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Praise be to God always!
John 17:14-19
Jesus Prays for his Disciples
The Lord Jesus said:
I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth. This is the truth. Peace be with you.

Jesus has told us the truth, and the truth is often unpopular. We have the choice to stay unpopular for the sake of truth and love or to turn to the way of the world and turn from the truth. Truth can transform and sanctify us. Hear the truth, accept the truth, turn from sin, persevere in the truth.

Lord, have mercy on us and save us.
Lord,
guard the Church with your grace
and protect her with your commandments,
that she may observe all your laws’
and raise to you, your Father, and your Holy Spirit,
unceasing hymns of glory
and sing you songs of praise and thanksgiving,
now and for ever.
Amen.