“CHRIST IS OUR PEACE” (Eph 2:14)

⏰Tuesday of the Twenty-Ninth Week of Ordinary Time 2 (23 October 2018)

📖Eph 2:11-22; Ps 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14 (R.v.9b); Luke 12:35-38

As at the time St Paul was preaching and writing his letters to different Churches, both Jews and gentiles make up his audience. Both groups resented themselves so much – the Jews claimed religious superiority and despised the gentiles while the gentiles resented the Jews for that attitude of exclusivity.

So, in Eph 2:11-22, St Paul points out that that is not the will of God for his Church since Christ has “broken down the dividing wall of hostility” (Eph 2:14) between us, hence the formation of a new Church in which we all are “fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Eph 2:19).

In Luke 12:35-38, Jesus teaches us how to live in that new Church; we must let our loins be girded and keep our lamps burning. St Augustine explained that “to gird one’s loins is to restrain lustful appetites, while to have lamps burning is to shine with good works. The first is about self-control, the second is about justice.”

Self-control enables us to know that we are not living alone in the community; there are others whose opinions also matter, while justice enjoins us to give others what is their due. Division occurs when both are lacking.

Do I contribute to division in the Body of Christ because of my lack of self-control or justice? Such division manifest with statements like “there is no salvation outside my Church,” or “Every member of that Church will go to hell.” Who made you a judge?

We should rather be bothered with whether we shall be considered vigilant stewards who would gain the services of the Master.

Christ, our Master, is already with us. If we are found to be good stewards now, he would serve to grant our needs in this world, and also serve us when he comes in glory at the end of times.

May the same Christ grant you the grace of remaining a vigilant and faithful steward when he calls on you, and may he alleviate the pains of your heart and attend to the needs of your heart, today and beyond. Amen.

Have a miraculous and peaceful day. Peace be with you.