Reflection on Today's Readings, Tuesday, 29th Week in Ordinary Time Year II, October 20th, 2020
Texts: Eph. 2:12-22; Ps. 85:9-14; Luke 12:35-38
St. Paul, in today's first reading, speaks of what Jesus Christ has gained for us: Peace with one another and peace with God. Faith in Jesus Christ earns us his love and concern, the Commonwealth of the people of God, hope, life with God, and participation in the covenants of promise.
Jesus Christ earns us peace by breaking the wall between us and the saints, the people of God; he earns us peace by breaking the wall between us and God, giving us hope and making us heirs to God's promise.
Jesus Christ makes peace by removing the cause of hostility: the law of commandments and ordinances; he replaces them with law of love and respect for human rights. He achieves this through his teaching and cross. St. Paul says, "And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near"
St. Paul also reminds us that Christ has not united us with God individually; he makes us one body first and then as one body he unites us to God. He says, "For he is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of two, so making peace, he might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross". The fact that he makes us one body first before reconciling us with God shows the importance of the Church. Being a member of the body, the Church, is a key to making peace with God; union with God begins with being a member of the Church. Being a member of the Church is sharing in the Commonwealth, the treasury of God's graces, abound in the Church. The word of God, the sacraments, the love of Christ, the examples and intercession of the saints, worship of God and various devotional prayers are among the Commonwealth of the people of God, the Church. Some are in the Church but still foreigners as they do not avail themselves of the opportunity they have in the Church; they do not receive sacraments; they are lazy or too busy to pray and read the words of God; they do not border to know about the saints or seek their intercession. Dear friends, let us take to heart these words of St. Paul:"So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God".
Being members of God's household, we derive our life from Jesus Christ as we follow the teaching of the apostles and the prophets.
Today's gospel reading drives home the fact that we are heirs to God's promise, and as heirs to God's promise, we live in hope, the hope of Christ's second coming, the hope of eternal life, the hope of receiving the reward of our good works, the hope of new earth and new heaven. Hence, Jesus Christ says, " Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the marriage feast, so that they may open to him at once when he comes and knocks."
Lord our God, open that we may see how rich we are in Jesus Christ that we may make use of the wealth you have bestowed on us. Amen.
Rev. Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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