Today we celebrate the baptism of my grandnephew (baby of my niece). His name is Jordan, and we welcome him into our Catholic family. Our entire family realizes the importance and value of baptizing infants at an early age, wiping them clean of the stain of original sin and officially making them Catholics. I wonder what he will grow up to be.
In today’s first reading, St. Paul tells the Ephesians that “grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift” … “and he gave some as Apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the Body of Christ.”
Both of Jordan’s parents are teachers. Maybe he will be a teacher too. Who knows? Only God does.
Reflect God’s Love
No matter what our occupation may be, we are ALL called to be active followers of Christ; not just once-a-week Churchgoers. All of us are not called to be priests who can explain God’s word through their homilies. Each of us, in our own way, can proclaim the kingdom of God in how we act, what we say, how we dress, and how we live our lives.
I know a lot of holy people who are very quiet and who just go about their day doing their work and providing for their families. They do not call attention to themselves nor proclaim from the housetops when they make donations to worthy causes.
To continue with Paul’s words “Rather, living the truth in love, we should grow in every way into him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole Body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, with the proper functioning of each part, brings about the Body’s growth and builds itself up in love.” In simple terms, each of us is called to do our own part to reflect God’s love wherever we are.
A Rich Tapestry
Today’s scripture provides a rich tapestry in my imagination. Some people had complained to Jesus about the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. Jesus, however, rebuked them, asking if they thought the Galileans were greater sinners? He went on to add, “I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!” Strong words indeed, that we should all take to heart.
Then He continued to tell the story of the fig tree, which we have all heard many times. How the tree did not produce fruit for three years and the owner of the orchard was ready to cut it down; however, the gardener begged him to let him cultivate and fertilize the tree for one more year, just to see if it might bear fruit then.
Blessed Mother
This gardener reminds me of Our Blessed Mother. When poor souls arrive at the judgment gate and are about to be sent to the eternal furnace, I can just see Mary pleading to her son Jesus to be lenient with them.
There’s a joke I heard a long time ago about St. Peter complaining to Jesus that souls he refused entry at the front door were still coming in through a back window that Mary held open.
In this month of October, the month of the Holy Rosary, let us continue to pray the Rosary every single day and beg Our Lady’s intercession for our families, our nation, and our world.
