This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.
The drama in the first reading has played out over and over and over again starting in the Old Testament and continuing right up to our day, with the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ constituting the climax, and the key to understanding its meaning.
Note the symbolic names “Sodom” and “Egypt,” “where indeed their Lord was crucified.” These represent not specific places, but the world as such. The Christian is called to be a prophet that shakes the hearts of people living in the world, who by and large are asleep to eternal realities. The world as a whole generally rejects this message throughout the ages, but some accept it and find their salvation.
Given the period of Christendom–when secular and Church leadership coincided for a time–we can think that sometimes, the world is friendly to Christianity. But if we take a closer look at Christendom, we see that worldly attitudes rejecting the heart of the radical message of Jesus reigned in the world even when Europe was nominally Christian.
Today, the increase in comfort and worldly security brought to many by technology and prosperity serves as as sort of hospice-like pain-reliever for souls on the path to eternal death. Likewise, some Church leaders are asleep to the eternal drama depicted in the first reading, complacent in the midst of the flattery of their flocks. In such a situation, how much less well received is the disturbing message of true prophets.
As Christians, we do not have the luxury to wait for our leaders to act as prophets, and complaining openly about their shortcomings is counterproductive. Like the prophets in the first reading, we must offer ourselves as living sacrifices for the conversion of sinners–giving Christ willingly and joyfully every suffering that comes our way, believing wholeheartedly in the effectiveness of our gift through Him. And, we must listen to the Holy Spirit and follow His call when He asks us to be vocal signs of contradiction in our world.
To this end, we have the aid of the saints. In the gospel, Jesus reminds us that God speaks of all His followers in the present tense: The saints are very much alive and active. Only a thin veil separates us. Let us call out to them, our teammates in advancing the cause of Christ’s redemption, confident of the effectiveness of their aid.
Ideas for conversation with the Lord: Consider today’s world from the perspective of its sleepiness relative to the drama of eternity. Think of Jesus’ words relative to today’s world: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” (Lk. 12:49) Ask Jesus what His vision is for waking up the world, for setting it ablaze, and ask Him what part He would like you to play.
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