In today's readings, we're going to see how we make a transition from being strangers to God and actually entering his household and living in readiness for his second coming. In the first reading we hear from Saint Paul's letter to the Ephesians, where he reminds us; "... but now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off, have become near by the blood of Christ" (Ephesians 2:13). Saint Paul describes the extraordinary transformation accomplished in us through Christ's sacrifice. Those who were once separated, the Jews and the Gentiles, are now invited into one household of God Christ has broken down the wall of hostility, reconciling humanity with God and with one another through the cross. Notice that Paul does not simply say we are forgiven, he says we have become members of God's household, a living temple in which the Holy Spirit dwells. This raises an important question if Christ died to tear down, the walls that divide us? Why do we continue building them through pride, prejudice, resentment, and unforgiveness?
Skipping to the gospel, we hear our Lord encouraging us with these words; "Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival" (Luke 12:37). Jesus calls us to spiritual vigilance, to remain aware of what's going on around us, to be sensitive to how the culture tries to manipulate us in various ways, whether it is intentional or not, away from our proximity and our closeness to Christ. And so we need to be aware, and this isn't a fearful and anticipation of death, but a life of readiness, faithfulness, and love. The most astonishing detail is what happens when the master returns into today's gospel. "He will gird himself, have them recline a table, and proceed to wait on them" (Luke 12:37). Wait a minute, the master becomes the servant? This is an extraordinary revelation of Christ's love. The Lord who asks us to serve him is the very Lord who first humbled himself to serve us, ultimately giving his life upon the cross. Christian vigilance therefore means being ready to encounter Christ especially through the opportunities for charity and reconciliation that arise each day because each day the Lord desires to guide us, to speak to us, and to make his home within us.
In his earlier rule, chapter 22, and when I say earlier rule, I mean the first rule that Saint Francis attempted to get approved by the pope the pope had told him it was too long 24 chapters so he wanted it to be brought down to 12 which is what Jesus, what saint Francis did when he condensed the rule but this is from the first that first attempt from chapter 22 Saint Francis exhorts his brothers; "Let us always make a home and a dwelling place there for him who is the Lord God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." In other words, let us always be ready to welcome him in our hearts. And of course, how can we welcome him in our hearts if there is so much sin that impedes him from being present there. And so confession is so important to go and allow ourselves to be purified by the Lord. St. Paul's description of Christians being built together into God's dwelling place can only be realized if each and every one of us become God's dwelling place.
Sinclair of Assisi once wrote to Agnes of Prague, "Place your mind before the mirror of eternity, place your soul in the brilliance of glory." St Clare is reminding us that vigilance begins by directing our hearts toward Christ and allowing his presence to transform our lives. Saint Paul tells us that Christ has made us members of his household, and Jesus tells us to remain awake and ready to welcome the master of that household. The challenge is therefore twofold, my brothers and sisters, to remove whatever divides us from our brothers and sisters, and to remain attentive to the Lord who comes into our lives. We cannot claim to be ready to welcome Christ while refusing to welcome those whom Christ has made our brothers and sisters.
May almighty God bless you this day in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Go in peace to love serve The Lord Thanks be to God
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