The Great-Martyr Barbara (286-305); Our Venerable Father John of Damascus (749)
Ephesians 1:16-23; Luke 12:32-40
Nativity Fast.
Read Luke 12:32-40
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Don’t get too comfy!
A number of years back I had the joy of visiting the Holy Land as a newly ordained priest. To get there I needed to take the longest flight I’ve ever taken. I remember marvelling at how long the flight was, only to check my watch and discover it wasn’t half-over yet! When we did finally land we were greeted with sunshine even though our bodies thought it should be the dead of night. After the initial excitement wore off and we could stretch out in the bigger tour-van seats, sleeping would have been the easiest thing in the world. However, our pilgrimage leader wouldn’t allow it. “No sleeping on this bus!” He boldly proclaimed. He went on to explain that if we gave into the desire to sleep now, our sleep cycle would be pulling us back the entire trip. We would have travelled across the world in search of a deeper relationship with Christ, and instead found uncomfortable bus naps!
We cannot afford to get too comfy in this world brothers and sisters. Our treasure won’t be found here, only small insights, hints and glimpses of small joys pointing to the Ultimate Joy. Let us stay awake to recognize Christ coming to us in every moment and respond with alert attention.
An early Christian writer, Mathetes, describes this attitude in the Christians of his day:
“They dwell in their own countries, but simply as sojourners. As citizens, they share in all things with others, and yet endure all things as if foreigners. Every foreign land is to them as their native country, and every land of their birth as a land of strangers. They marry, as do all [others]; they beget children; but they do not destroy their offspring. They have a common table, but not a common bed. They are in the flesh, but they do not live after the flesh. They pass their days on earth, but they are citizens of heaven. They obey the prescribed laws, and at the same time surpass the laws by their lives. They love all men, and are persecuted by all. They are unknown and condemned; they are put to death, and restored to life. They are poor, yet make many rich; they are in lack of all things, and yet abound in all; they are dishonoured, and yet in their very dishonour are glorified.” (Letter to Diognetus)