Recognizing Divinity

November 15: Saturday of Week 32 of Ordinary Time, Year A-II:

3John 1:5-8; Psalm 112:1-2, 3-4, 5-6; Luke 18:1-8

Click here for the complete text of today’s readings.

What is Jesus saying to us as stewards of his kingship?

(To support  Reaching Jesus: 5 Steps to a Fuller Life ... Step Five ) 

Recognizing Divinity

“…to send them on in a way worthy of God” (3John 1:6).

It makes no difference whether “worthy of God” refers to the helping or the journeying; John is telling believers to be divine in the way they help people who are also divine. The key to Christian living is maintaining awareness of “the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you”—and in everyone who shares in the divine life of God by grace. The Alleluia verse confirms it: “God has called us through the Gospel, to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Christians see every interaction between the baptized (including “anonymous Christians” with “Baptism of desire”) as God dealing with God in Jesus interacting with Jesus. St. Augustine said, “In heaven there will be just one Christ, loving himself.” That is what good stewards of the mystery of “Christ in us” should be striving to bring about on earth.

The problem is, we forget who God, we, and others are. That is why Jesus urges us to “pray always without becoming weary.” Not because we “think we will be heard because of our many words,” but to keep us conscious that God is our Father and we his children. He “knows what we need before we ask him” (Matthew 6:7, 26-32). But if we don’t ask him, and keep asking, we will forget this.

  

PRAY: “Live, Jesus, in my heart."

PRACTICE: In every human interaction, be conscious of Jesus in you and others.