Good morning, good people. May the Lord grant you peace, health, and happiness through the Holy Spirit.
Today is 22nd October 2024, and we celebrate the memorial of St. John Paul II, Pope. Are we ready to open the door for Him to enter, or are we occupied with things or people we consider more significant than Christ?
We reflect on Ephesians 2:12-22 and Luke 12:35-38. We are connected by the bonds of love, mercy, and forgiveness. Our faith calls for more than mere tolerance; it calls for a deep love that flows from the Cross of Jesus and the reconciliation He offers to all through His message of peace and blessing.
To be Christian is to live in unity of mind, heart, and spirit with others. Those who seek to divide, in however subtle a way, cannot truly be called Christians. No one has the right or power to exclude anyone from God’s promises or the blessings of the Holy Spirit. All forms of hostility must be rejected in our communities and parishes.
A fragmented Christianity is a contradiction to its very core. Many still struggle with divisions within the Church. Some may even support agendas that fuel racial, tribal, linguistic, or gender divides under the guise of liturgy, song, or devotion. Only a few truly work towards unifying without prejudice or criticism. Christianity has always embraced diversity, welcoming all cultures and languages.
Let us not forget our roots of inclusivity, adaptability, and respect for all, as we promote human dignity in worship, prayer, and community life. We must distinguish between our old life without Christ and our new life in Him.
In today’s reading, St. Paul calls us to unite the Church, allowing every believer to experience peace in Christ Jesus. “All grow into one holy temple in the Lord; and you too, in Him, are being built into a house where God lives, in the Spirit” (Eph. 2:21). Christ has broken all barriers and removed divisions through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Let us not consider anyone a second-class believer.
The responsorial Psalm says, “The Lord speaks peace to His people” (Ps. 84:9). The Gospel invites us to be vigilant and faithful to Christ, as we will one day account for our lives. True Christian living is measured by faithfulness to Christ, and our lives should be guided by His light, not the lies of the world. Christ will reward those found actively serving in their communities.
No one knows when Christ will knock on the door of our soul. Are we ready to meet Him and give an account of our lives?
May the Lord bless you and help you spread His peace by being a peace-loving Christian. Have a good day, and God bless you.