Consecration of the Church

Thursday
Hebrews 10:32-39
A Call to Persevere
Brothers and Sisters:
But recall those earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and persecution, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion for those who were in prison, and you cheerfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves possessed something better and more lasting. Do not, therefore, abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a great reward. For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. For yet “in a very little while, the one who is coming will come and will not delay; but my righteous one will live by faith. My soul takes no pleasure in anyone who shrinks back.” But we are not among those who shrink back and so are lost, but among those who have faith and so are saved. Praise be to God always!
John 17:20-23
Jesus Prays for his Disciples
The Lord Jesus said:
“I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. This is the truth. Peace be with you.

In the Gospel, Jesus desires unity in the Church. It is a horrible scandal to the world when someone tries to start their own Church. It is a horrible scandal when members of a parish are divided and do not show the love of Christ to each other.
In the Epistle, we find the desire that early or youthful zeal continue in the Christian and that we not give way to pessimism or despair. We should have confidence in God to suffer through any turmoil for love of Him. This is not a confidence that we will not suffer, but a confidence in God’s love, a zeal for God’s love so that there remains no burden to return that love.

Phinehas the Levite offered pleasing and fragrant incense,
through which, with his prayer, he averted the scourge from
the people.
Lord, may the fragrance of this incense (prayer) which the
children of the Church now offer, be pleasing to you. Through it grant pardon to the Church and her children who adore your
majesty and implore you. Lord, hear our petition.