6/4/2014 – Wednesday of 7th week of Easter – Acts 20:28-38

      Yesterday, we heard the beginning of Paul’s farewell speech to the elders in Ephesus.  What strikes me in the end of this discourse today is how Paul warns them against those who try to divide and tear apart their community, to be on guard to those who will attack them.  We need to ask ourselves: Are our words and actions building up the Kingdom of God, or are they tearing others down and creating hurts?From Paul’s words and example, we know that building up God’s kingdom is not for the faint of heart; it takes courage, strength and persistence.  But let us never think that, if the task is too difficult, we can relax and let others take the lead.  Recently, Pope Francis stated that our vocation in life, whether it be to the priesthood, consecrated life, lay ministry, or marriage, is a call to center one's life on Christ and build up his kingdom.  I could not have said it better myself!  Pope Francis explains: "The more we unite ourselves to Jesus through prayer, sacred Scripture, the Eucharist, (and) the sacraments celebrated and lived in the church and in fraternity, the more there will grow in us the joy of cooperating with God in the service of the kingdom of mercy and truth, of justice and peace.”  The pope made these comments in his message for the 2014 World Day of Prayer for Vocations.

      Paul ended his talk with prayers, with tears, and with hugs.   He truly loved his people – he wanted to leave a legacy with them. He truly wanted to leave them to the task of building up God’s kingdom in their own community.  May the Spirit lead us to this same process of building up.