October 26, 2016
There is an endearing scene in the Christmas movie Elf where Buddy the Elf (Will Ferrell)
mistakenly joins the Christmas staff at the department store Gimbels. When the
supervisor announces to the staff that Santa will be arriving the next day, Buddy
exclaims with all the squealing enthusiasm of a wonder-filled child or a
teenage girl who has just seen her favorite boy band and at the very top of his
lungs: “SANTA!!!!!!!! I KNOW HIM!!!!!!!” (Please watch this 14-second clip to
give you the right visual for the rest of this reflection…https://youtu.be/B3FSFXJmdp8 ) His love and joy for this man cannot be
hidden or masked or mistaken. To be known is to be loved. Our deepest loves are
our most intimate relationships. Intimacy, not in a physical way, but in the
Matthew Kelly definition, “Intimacy is the mutual self-revelation that allows
us to know and be known. Intimacy is the mutual sharing of the journey to
fulfill our life purpose – to become the best-version-of-ourselves.”
Today’s gospel reminds us that God wants to be an
intimate part of our lives; in fact, He wants to become the most intimate
(mutual self-revelation) part of our lives. This is only way to be known by Him,
and the only way to become that which we are really meant to be. The image of the
door to eternity in Luke’s gospel today is a compelling one. When we knock and
ask to be let in, it will be imperative that God, like Buddy the Elf, shout
with all His might, “JEN!!!!!!! I KNOW HER!!!!!!!” Remember that intimacy is a
mutual self-giving so we must also know Him. Satan is a very shiny and
attractive character and, quite honestly, can be very easily mistaken if we are
not completely intimate with God the Father through Jesus Christ.
So in what ways can you and I start to know Christ
more intimately today and everyday? I might approach this like dating and go
through all those initial icebreaker questions when you first start dating by
reading the gospels. Then I’ll just think about him all the time and wonder
what he’s doing at every minute of the day. Then I will spend hours on the
phone with him in prayer just sharing my day and hearing about his. Of course
there will be handholding and whispers. Eventually there will be a
synchronization of all our thoughts, words, actions, and feelings. There will
be a oneness that is as natural as breathing and my Beloved will know me and I
will know him. It’s easer said than done, but today’s gospel reminds me of the
gravity of not being known by him. I want Jesus to recognize me at the door to
eternity, so I better reveal my everything to him without hesitation, including
my dark, lonely, and sinful places, and in that revelation I will start to
become the best-version-of-myself. And it is well with my soul.
Reading 1 EPH 6:1-9
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Honor your father and mother.
This is the first commandment with a promise,
that it may go well with you
and that you may have a long life on earth.
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger,
but bring them up with the training and instruction of the Lord.
Slaves, be obedient to your human masters with fear and trembling,
in sincerity of heart, as to Christ,
not only when being watched, as currying favor,
but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
willingly serving the Lord and not men,
knowing that each will be requited from the Lord
for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
Masters, act in the same way towards them, and stop bullying,
knowing that both they and you have a Master in heaven
and that with him there is no partiality.
Honor your father and mother.
This is the first commandment with a promise,
that it may go well with you
and that you may have a long life on earth.
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger,
but bring them up with the training and instruction of the Lord.
Slaves, be obedient to your human masters with fear and trembling,
in sincerity of heart, as to Christ,
not only when being watched, as currying favor,
but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
willingly serving the Lord and not men,
knowing that each will be requited from the Lord
for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
Masters, act in the same way towards them, and stop bullying,
knowing that both they and you have a Master in heaven
and that with him there is no partiality.
Responsorial Psalm PS 145:10-11, 12-13AB, 13CD-14
R. (13c) The Lord is faithful in all his words.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. The Lord is faithful in all his words.
Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R. The Lord is faithful in all his words.
The LORD is faithful in all his words
and holy in all his works.
The LORD lifts up all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
R. The Lord is faithful in all his words.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. The Lord is faithful in all his words.
Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R. The Lord is faithful in all his words.
The LORD is faithful in all his words
and holy in all his works.
The LORD lifts up all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
R. The Lord is faithful in all his words.
Alleluia SEE 2 THESS 2:14
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God has called us through the Gospel
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.
Someone asked him,
“Lord, will only a few people be saved?”
He answered them,
“Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter
but will not be strong enough.
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,
then will you stand outside knocking and saying,
‘Lord, open the door for us.’
He will say to you in reply,
‘I do not know where you are from.’
And you will say,
‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’
Then he will say to you,
‘I do not know where you are from.
Depart from me, all you evildoers!’
And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth
when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God
and you yourselves cast out.
And people will come from the east and the west
and from the north and the south
and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God.
For behold, some are last who will be first,
and some are first who will be last.”
God has called us through the Gospel
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel LK 13:22-30
Jesus passed through towns and villages,teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.
Someone asked him,
“Lord, will only a few people be saved?”
He answered them,
“Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter
but will not be strong enough.
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,
then will you stand outside knocking and saying,
‘Lord, open the door for us.’
He will say to you in reply,
‘I do not know where you are from.’
And you will say,
‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’
Then he will say to you,
‘I do not know where you are from.
Depart from me, all you evildoers!’
And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth
when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God
and you yourselves cast out.
And people will come from the east and the west
and from the north and the south
and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God.
For behold, some are last who will be first,
and some are first who will be last.”
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