Today’s Gospel, continuing the great High Priestly prayer of Jesus, has these profound words: ‘For their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be consecrated in truth’. These lines are a key text for consecrated life; and not only for that particular form of life, but for all the baptised, who are baptised into the death of Christ. He consecrates Himself; that is, He is set apart for sacrifice, in order that we too in our turn, as members of His Body, may likewise offer ourselves.

We are consecrated ‘in truth’; let us renew our offering of self-surrender to the Lord this day, and may He bless us all.