In today’s readings, we are reminded of our own holiness.
St. Paul writes, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him” (Eph 1:3-4). If we forget to read carefully, we may miss the fact that we have been chosen “before the foundation of the world.” That’s how special we are. Before time, God fashioned us and knew He wanted to share eternity with us. That’s how much He loves us.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “Strengthened by so many and such great means of salvation, all the faithful, whatever their condition or state — though each in his own way — are called by the Lord to that perfection of sanctity by which the Father himself is perfect” (CCC, 825). Without exception, each person has a personal vocation. A wise man once explained it to me this way: “When we live out our vocation, the world becomes a little more full; but when we choose not, the world in some way becomes a little less.” God has created each of us in such a way that only we (me and you) can answer that call. It is that call which defines us and makes us a minor cosmos unto ourselves. How wonderful.
Root of His Anger
Keeping this great gift in mind, let’s turn to the Gospel. It’s not a pretty scene. Jesus is on eleven with the Pharisees, swinging around his metaphorical 2×4. As we dig deeper, we decipher the root of his anger. “You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter” (Lk 11:52). Jesus knows the personal vocation that the Father has bestowed on us. He knows it is via this vocation, and this vocation alone, we experience love. Therefore, when the Pharisees try to interfere, it upsets Him deeply. Who are they to defy THE plan of love that will bring them to eternal happiness? God called each of the Pharisees into a plan of love, but they wished to have no part.
We too have a chance to share the Father’s love in a way that no one else will experience until heaven. God could have put us aside, but He didn’t. He chose you and me. Will we respond?
“Don’t let your life be sterile. Be useful. Blaze a trail. Shine forth with the light of your faith and of your love” (The Way, St. Josemaria, #1).
