Blessed are they the Lord has Chosen…chosen to be His Own.
1. At Baptism, WATER is POURED to connect us, to a SERIES of events (from Abraham to Moses to Jesus) in God’s wonderful plan to sanctify mankind. This sacramental sign tells us that: #1) we are washed clean of sin, #2) that we are adopted into God’s Family to help us to live HOLY lives, and #3) that this WATER gives us the vocation to be a part of the Mission of Christ.
In Baptism, other sacramental signs are employed: like the WHITE GARMENT signifying our new Dignity in Christ. Like the oils we are ANOINTED with to give us strength in Virtue of the Holy Spirit. To help us fight evil and promote good, by making us another Christ (Priest-Prophet-King). And lastly we were given a LIT CANDLE with the admonition to ‘keep it burning brightly’. A light that enables us to live in the knowledge of Christ, while allowing others to see Him in our lives.
The ‘Lit Candle’ provides us with much food for thought.
2. The book of Wisdom was the last book written in the Old Testament. It was written by a pious Jew, for the people of Egypt. Many Jews in the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem, had escaped capture and slavery in Babylon. They found a home again in Egypt. The purpose of the author of the book of WISDOM, was to build up the knowledge of his co-Israelites in Egypt and to encourage them to persevere in their faith.
3. Today our Wisdom reading, we recall one of the most important events in Jewish History. One of which our Baptism connects us to. This reading remind those Jews in Egypt and now us, how God through Moses, promised the Israelites, that their Exodus from Egypt and 200 years of Slavery the 1st time, WOULD happen through the Passover (10th plague) and the passing through the Red Sea. Because it happened just as he said it would, those events then, are importantly recalled and relived spiritually by each generation.
4. Other stories of great importance became the basis for Jewish Faith in God. 3 weeks ago in a first reading we had the story of Abraham and Sarah. God had promised to build a nation from them, who were yet childless. Sarah and Abraham because of old age, were considered to be unable to conceive or sire children. After 20 years of waiting, God remedied those defects of their humanness and in the birth of a son Isaac, God’s Promise was kept and the building of a nation began.
Paul recalls that event in our 2nd reading. In our Judeo-Christian tradition through Baptism, Abraham and Isaac are our fathers in faith. In Baptism we are connected to the covenant promises of being a Holy People living in a Promised Land. Paul’s Letter was to help the New Jewish Converts to Christ, recall and relive Salvation History, but now with confidence in Jesus Christ.
5. The Gospel comes to us, before the New Covenant was fully established by Jesus Passion and Death. Yet in a very sweet way Jesus invites all to recall the past with… “Fear not little flock, for it is your Fathers Good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.” And how does that happen…through our Baptism.
He reminds us in a firm manner, that this journey of Faith is based in TRUST. Lived just like the Moses in Egypt or Abraham at Mamre. So if we want the Kingdom, HE tells us to ‘Sell all your possessions. Give Alms.’ So that we can ‘Make the TREASURE of our heart the things of Heaven’. These treasures flow out of your Baptism. Its’ GIFTS (of Forgiveness & Virtue), its’ DEMANDS (of family membership) and its’ CONDITIONS (of service to the Lord).
The Theology of the lit candle in Baptism is that we become Servants to the Light of Christ. And Jesus tells us today, a GOOD SERVANT will: #1) (Gird your Loins) always be dressed ready to work and #2) (Trim your Lamp) be on top of your duties. This means when the Master shows up at the door, all things are in order and you can serve his needs without hesitation.
6. In Jewish tradition, the month of July, is a time to recall the events that showed God’s care and delivery of promises. Our liturgical readings of the last month have reflected this tradition. August too, has special meaning in Jewish tradition. It’s a time when they felt that God was ‘On the Move’. Meaning He is anxious to go out and be with the people. A good analogy might be our presidential politics. At ELECTION time the candidates are out kissing babies, shaking hands and mingling with the people. The perception is: at all other times they are not as available.
7. God is always working His PLAN of SALVATION. We have been BAPTIZED into it. And now is the ‘TIME’. So we want to encourage people to take advantage the graces of increased energy for ACTION and desire for spiritual EDUCATION.
Our Catholic Schools and religious Ed. programs are starting. An all out effort by parents, students, teachers and administrators, must be made to make the school year Christ centered and life changing. Soon too, for adults, Bible Study classes will be offered. Couldn’t the ‘Light of Christ’ could be tweaked a little in your life? For new prospective members to the Catholic Faith, the RCIA begins. We need help to fine candidates and sponsors. And important to building the Kingdom will be activities of parish organizations like the Knights of Columbus, choir, serving , lectoring and volunteering to name a few.
This is a time of the year when the meaning of ‘Keeping that candle lit and burning brightly’ is up front and center. The Kingdom, ‘Little Flock’ is yours for the taking. It pleases the Father to give it to you. As a servant to the MASTER, are your loins girded? Has your lamp been trimmed? Now is the time.
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