30th August, Thursday: Homily

Dear friends in Jesus Christ...first reading presents to us how Paul’s evangelical mission was established on God’s initiative. (Sosthenes Acts18:17).

Paul refers to the Church of God and the believers as set apart. He uses this highly condensed formula kletois hagiois, means that believes have been set apart by God. However it does not qualify that they are intrinsically holy, but they are sanctified through Christ. To understand the phrase ‘Those Sanctified’ we must know the context of Paul and Corinth. Paul’s earliest preaching in the city took place in the local synagogue where, both Jews and Greeks accepted his message. It is in this context that Paul tells of those who are made ‘Holy’, and ‘Set apart.’ For Paul every Christian is set apart, sanctified and made holy by the merits of Christ’s sacrifice (Heb.10:10). This comes to us in Baptism. Therefore, he encourages them to call on the name of the Lord in prayer and worship.   

Besides, Paul reminds, how they are blessed by the Holy Spirit, in order to build the Church. Although, the believers are sanctified, set apart and filled with the gifts of the spirit, this is all done only through Christ. So he tells them to be holy in word and deed. This goes without saying that how Paul sees/goes beyond the borders.   

He warns them about Judgement Day. The day of the Lord has many connotations: It relates at once to the OT expression of the Judgement Day. It is a fiery judgement when God takes vengeance on his enemies and vindicates the saints. Sometimes it refers to the last day of history, when Christ will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. Hence, Paul tells the community that God will not abandon what he has started in the Church. Therefore the members of the Church are termed as kletoi the called ones. It is a Pauline technical word used to mention the process of salvation through Christ. Thus Paul draws a line of communion, koinonia/union in Christ. Thus their shared existence as members of Christ’s body is highlighted in this Eucharist.  

In today’s gospel reading Matthew presents how essential it is to be prepared and be watchful. Vigilance is a prominent theme in Jesus’ teaching ministry presented in 24-26 chapters.  This theme addresses the glorious coming of Christ at three levels.

1. Past historical: The disciples were to look vigilantly for Christ’s judgement on Jerusalem.

2. Present Liturgical: Disciples must look with faith to see the coming of Christ in the Eucharist. Jesus’ presence must be discerned to avoid divine judgement.

3. Future Eschatological: Disciples must watch for Christ’s Second Coming in glory.  

Being vigilant in faith and good works is necessary to inherit eternal life with Christ. Therefore, let us understand what is in the mind of Matthew: Watch Therefore is the principle that tells that no one knows the exact time of the Parousia, except the Father. According to Matthew, Jesus by sharing our human condition shares also our partial ignorance. Matthew tells us that we must not be like the Men of Noah who drew wrong conclusions from their ignorance of the time of the flood and were careless in the things that pertain to God. Matthew employs a new term hetoimoi=ready, prepared and vigilance. It is an eschatological alertness to the will of God.   

We know the word eschatology comes from a Greek word eschaton means ‘the last things’ or ‘the things of the afterlife.’ In the Gospel, Jesus asks his disciples to stay awake. And in the first reading Paul urges the community to be united to the church and to behave like the people set apart. If we are not vigilant enough, then we will be like that wicked servant, foolish virgins and like the men of Noah’s time who were succumbed to their human calculations. It is true the Lord delays but then he does not wait. Let us therefore, dispose our hearts and minds at the feet of the Lord and ask him to strengthen our faith so that we go not by sight but by faith like that of the early Christian Community. For, we are also set apart, sanctified and made holy. Thus we shall live our faith with an eschatological alertness. That is how saints lived. St Augustine: Late have I know you o ancient and o heavenly beauty. Thomas Aquinas: All I wrote is trash if compared to the beatific vision he had. Mother Theresa: I trust in thee. Dear friends in Christ, let us pray in this holy Eucharist that may we also learn to be vigilant and walk in faith. Let go by faith and not by sight. For the Lord delays but does not wait for your preparedness. Blessed are if you are like Paul, John the Baptist and the saints above for you have won favour of the Lord.