blessed to give

Acts 20:28-38; PS 68: Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; John 17:11-19

Words of JEsus "consecrate them in the truth...I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth."

Words from the Pope, "Being Christian is not a type of outfit one wears in private or on a special occasion but it is living and totalizing."

Words form St. Paul, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

St. Paul is bidding farewell.  He is saying good bye.  He will not see these people whom has served on this side of heaven again.  So he gives them a few things to think about.

"so be vigilant..."

He encourages them to be on the look out.  He wants them to be attentive.  He also wants them to be active.  To follow Christ means we cannot be passive in life.

HE also warns them about those "wolves" men who will "come forward perverting the truth to draw disciples away."

Truth.  THere is that often despised word in our current society.  No one likes the truth.  We have sacrificed the truth so that we can cling to our own opinions and thus live our own way.

But opinions won't get it.  Opinions aren't building blocks but rather they tear away at foundations.

This is what St. Paul wants the community to get through their head.

We all have opinions, but with out truth then anything goes and thus nothing matters.

Lastly, he quotes Christ, the words of JEsus, "It is blessed to give than to receive."

This is the only time Paul quotes Christ directly.

This is Paul's parting shot, last word spoken before he sails off to his own martyrdom.

What a word to end on.  "Blessed to give than to receive."

Paul is about to give his life for is faith and love in Christ.

He is about to imitate Christ himself who came to give.  In fact, giving seems to be a fundamental attribute of God from all eternity: God gives.  This phrase explains creation and redemption.  IT answers the question why is there something as opposed to nothing: God gives.

St. Paul just simply invites us to do as God does:give.

Don't worry about getting what his owed; don't worry about getting yours.  Put your attention on giving and let that become the fundamental attitude and attribute of alive well lived.

Be sure like Christ it is truth in love that is given.

"Blessed to give than to receive."