[stephenkhoo]

OPEN THE DOOR OF OUR HEARTS TO THE OVERWHELMING POWER OF THE GRACE OF GOD IN CHRIST
SCRIPTURE READINGS: Rm 5:12.15.17-21; Lk 12:35-38
http://www.universalis.com/20131022/mass.htm

When we consider the situation of the world today, with the moral crisis worsening each passing day and the threats of war and terrorism, we cannot but at times feel that sin seems to reign over the world. Even in our own lives, we feel like giving up the fight against sin because we seem to be in a losing battle all the time. When we are discouraged at the state of the world, then today’s scripture readings give us hope and courage.

In the first reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans, we read one of the most inspiring and consoling messages from Paul. He compares the situation of the world through Adam to that of Christ the Second Adam. His argument is that if through the fall of Adam, it is certain “that so many died, it is even more certain that divine grace, coming through the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!” Again, “if it is certain that death reigned over everyone as the consequence of one man’s fall, it is even more certain that one man, Jesus Christ, will cause everyone to reign in life.” If Adam’s fall “has brought condemnation on everyone” then one man’s disobedience brought condemnation on everyone, so “by one man’s obedience many will be made righteous.” Indeed, Paul summed up so aptly that “however great the number of sins committed, grace was even greater.” All this is possible, “thanks to the righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

If the thesis of Paul were true, then how is it that sin reigns in our lives instead of grace, which brings eternal life? This is because Jesus Christ comes as “an abundant free gift” from God. Being the gift of God to us, it can only be received freely. The gift of God is not forced on us. The grace of God is free but man must respond willingly to that gift. For this reason, the gospel today exhorts us to be ready to open the door of our hearts to welcome Jesus, the grace of God. He is knocking at the door of our hearts. Yes, Jesus said, “be like men waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast, ready to open the door as soon as he comes and knocks.” Indeed, Jesus who has returned to the Father after his Ascension and has returned to bring us the gifts from God.

The tragedy is that like the servants in today’s gospel, we are not ready to welcome Him. Why are we not ready? Is it because we are afraid? Perhaps so! Many of us are afraid of the master’s return. We are fearful that when He comes, He might ask from us things, which we are not willing to give or to do. We are anxious that He might ask us to give up our wealth, our time, our freedom, our friends and loved ones and most of all our sins! We are worried that we would be poorer and cannot live without all these. Truly, humanity is not ready to welcome Christ because we do not want to change our lives. Instead of living a life of truth, freedom and joy, we prefer to live under the slavery of sin and death.

However such fears are unfounded. The surprising good news of today’s gospel is that when Jesus comes, He will not be asking us to serve Him. Instead, the parable tells us, “Happy those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. I tell you solemnly, he will put on an apron, sit them down at table and wait on them.” So, it will be Jesus, the master of servants that will serve us His servants at table. He has come to give us gifts. He has come to bless us with His riches in our poverty; with His love in our emptiness; with His freedom in our slavery; with lasting joy in our passing happiness, with forgiveness in our bitterness and with peace in our hearts. So we need not fear Jesus. He is not making us less happy or less fulfilled. On the contrary, He comes to give us true and lasting joy.

But we must be ready and be watchful. Jesus advised us, “See that you are dressed for action and have your lamps lit.” It is important that we be vigilant because the Lord is coming at any moment in our lives. “It may be in the second watch he comes, or in the third, but happy are those servant if he finds them ready.” If not the Lord will pass us by. In fact, He comes so often knocking at our hearts. When we are studying, He comes to help us in our studies; when we are called to preach, He comes to help us to preach His word; when we find it difficult to forgive and let go, He comes to set us free; when we lose faith and trust, He comes to assure us of His love and presence. But if our lamps are not lit, and we are not dressed for action, then we will miss His presence.

How can we light our lamps and be dressed for action? By being dressed in a life of prayer and good works! Our lamps will be lighted when we spend time in prayer and loving intimacy with the Lord. Our good works that flow from our love for the Lord would be the dress we wear as servants of the Lord. Indeed, if we do not want to fall into discouragement, then we must pray and work, ora et labora. This is the only way to open our hearts to Christ who comes to assist us.

Today, we are grateful that we have the Eucharist. For in the Eucharistic celebration, He comes to give us Himself, His entire being. Indeed, the last stanza of the responsorial psalm says, “O let there be rejoicing and gladness for all who seek you. Let them ever say: ‘The Lord is great’, who love your saving help.” Only when we realize that Jesus comes as the Servant of servants to give us Himself so that we can serve like Him, then we can pray with the psalmist when we say, “Here am I, Lord, that I may do your will.”