truth crucified

Acts 20:28-38;John 17:11-19

Jesus in today's gospel speaks of truth. He prays that the apostles may be "consecrated in the truth." He speaks of that truth as the very "word" of God..

Jesus reminds us that he himself was sent into the world to consecrate himself so that they (the apostles and followers) could be consecrated in truth.

The mission was a mission that led to the crucifixion of truth. Truth is crucified, only then does it become believable. Only then does it demand attention.

As followers, we too must allow ourselves to experience the crucifixion of truth as we live it and proclaim it. We can not surrender truth but we must allow it to be crucified.

Salvation comes by way of the cross. Salvation comes when truth is crucified. Only then is it able to penetrate the human heart. Only then is it able to be come real food and real drink. Truth crucified leads to the eucharist.

As Pope Benedict reminded us in is inauguration homily, "love is giving what is truly good, nourishment on God's truth, God's word."

We must embrace the cross, as we carry forth the truth into a world that seems to not care for truth at all.

Surrounded by people who do not believe in truth or who want truth to be personal and subjective where "my" truth has nothing to do with "your" truth mentality only the crucified truth can break through that barrier of relativism.

The battle that wages for truth must find its culmination in the crucified reality of truth that saves.

Consecrate them in truth!

In the words of Pope Benedict, "we impose nothing, but we propose ceaselessly."

Our mission to the world is to make the truth known, even it means bearing the marks of crucifixion.
The stigmata awaits us all as we live our faith in truth.