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 that 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!!!!!!!” 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 the only way to be known by Him, and the only way to become that we really are 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. It is well with my soul.
Reading 1 ROM 8:26-30
Brothers and sisters:
The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness;
for we do not know how to pray as we ought,
but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.
And the one who searches hearts
knows what is the intention of the Spirit,
because he intercedes for the holy ones
according to God's will.
We know that all things work for good for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose.
For those he foreknew he also predestined
to be conformed to the image of his Son,
so that he might be the firstborn
among many brothers.
And those he predestined he also called;
and those he called he also justified;
and those he justified he also glorified.
The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness;
for we do not know how to pray as we ought,
but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.
And the one who searches hearts
knows what is the intention of the Spirit,
because he intercedes for the holy ones
according to God's will.
We know that all things work for good for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose.
For those he foreknew he also predestined
to be conformed to the image of his Son,
so that he might be the firstborn
among many brothers.
And those he predestined he also called;
and those he called he also justified;
and those he justified he also glorified.
Responsorial Psalm PS 13:4-5, 6
R.(6a) My hope, O Lord, is in your mercy.
Look, answer me, O LORD, my God!
Give light to my eyes that I may not sleep in death
lest my enemy say, "I have overcome him";
lest my foes rejoice at my downfall.
R. My hope, O Lord, is in your mercy.
Though I trusted in your mercy,
Let my heart rejoice in your salvation;
let me sing of the LORD, "He has been good to me."
R. My hope, O Lord, is in your mercy.
Look, answer me, O LORD, my God!
Give light to my eyes that I may not sleep in death
lest my enemy say, "I have overcome him";
lest my foes rejoice at my downfall.
R. My hope, O Lord, is in your mercy.
Though I trusted in your mercy,
Let my heart rejoice in your salvation;
let me sing of the LORD, "He has been good to me."
R. My hope, O Lord, is in your mercy.
Alleluia SEE 2 THES 2:14
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God has called us through the Gospel
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
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."
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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