October 24, 2017
Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 474
ROM 5:12, 15B, 17-19, 20B-21
PS 40:7-8A, 8B-9, 10, 17
LK 21:36
LK 12:35-38
We are never guaranteed tomorrow. When we lose someone we love this comes to us in an abrupt way, almost a slap in the face. Many years ago when my grandfather passed away I didn’t go see him in the hospital that time. He had been in so many times. I had gone many of them. I eventually got used to the call that he was in there, and then the one that he was back home. I meant to stop in that day. I even thought about it as I drove home from work, but I was so tired. So tired that I turned off my turn signal and decided to come tomorrow and see him instead. I think part of me was afraid to face him in the hospital knowing this might be the one. It was hard to see him slowly fading away.
My faith got me through it. I don’t remember crying at the funeral. I do remember being sad. I remember thinking about the Bible and all the conversations I had had with pappaw. I knew he was a man of strong conviction, a man of strong belief. I still believe to this day that he is with God. I’ve had many small signs over the years to give me strength and remind of that fact. Today’s readings call us to remember that in a strong way. Though the first reading reminds us that we are much like Adam, that we have faults and flaws and live in a fallen and often sinful state; it also reminds us that we are called to be more like Christ. That when given the opportunity to defend the virtue that God has bestowed us on we have a chance to be more like Mary in saying yes, than like Eve in saying no. To be more like Christ in hanging on the tree to die before eating of the forbidden fruit to try live outside of God’s will.
The gospel then reminds us of what that looks like. It is not a life of just forgetting what Christ has taught us and living however we want. Not a life of sinfulness and hedonism, but one in which we examine ourselves daily to see where we stand. It tells us to be vigilant and oh boy do we have to be! One look at the television shows of this age, the news and the rampant pornography on the internet, and any Christian knows that the devil is on the prowl seeking whom he may devour. How do we stop him? By throwing ourselves at the mercy of God first and foremost, but also taking concrete steps to avoid sin. Putting our computers in public places where others can see what we are doing, cutting off access to the channels that give us images that trigger any inordinate desires, even getting rid of them if need be. Jesus in his one parable says to cut off our hand if it offends us, and yet many would balk at getting rid of Cable TV or HBO.
Vigilant. Watchful. Observant. Alert. Coming from the word for a vigilante. One who takes upon himself the responsibility of policing the neighborhood. Batman. “I am Batman.” That’s a common joke on the internet but think about that for a moment. By telling you to be vigilant Jesus is saying specifically “It is YOUR responsibility to police your soul, your mind, and your heart. “ He has given us all the grace we need, are we using it to police our lives? Or are we expecting him to do all the work? It’s not either or, it’s both and. We must cooperate with grace. God will never force himself upon us. Grace is free, but it comes with a cross.
His servant and yours,
Brian