This blog follows the daily bible readings of the Catholic Church

Reading 1, Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22

I come as a thief: a church in Iraq

1 ‘Write to the angel of the church in Sardis and say, “Here is the message of the one who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: I know about your behaviour: how you are reputed to be alive and yet are dead. 2 Wake up; put some resolve into what little vigour you have left: it is dying fast. So far I have failed to notice anything in your behaviour that my God could possibly call perfect; 3 remember how you first heard the message. Hold on to that. Repent! If you do not wake up, I shall come to you like a thief, and you will have no idea at what hour I shall come upon you. 4 There are a few in Sardis, it is true, who have kept their robes unstained, and they are fit to come with me, dressed in white. 5 Anyone who proves victorious will be dressed, like these, in white robes; I shall not blot that name out of the book of life, but acknowledge it in the presence of my Father and his angels. 6 Let anyone who can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.”

You say, " I am rich.."

14 ‘Write to the angel of the church in Laodicea and say, “Here is the message of the Amen, the trustworthy, the true witness, the Principle of God’s creation: 15 I know about your activities: how you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were one or the other, 16 but since you are neither hot nor cold, but only lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say to yourself: I am rich, I have made a fortune and have everything I want, never realising that you are wretchedly and pitiably poor, and blind and naked too. 18 I warn you, buy from me the gold that has been tested in the fire to make you truly rich, and white robes to clothe you and hide your shameful nakedness, and ointment to put on your eyes to enable you to see. 19 I reprove and train those whom I love: so repent in real earnest.

20 Look, I am standing at the door, knocking. If one of you hears me calling and opens the door, I will come in to share a meal at that person’s side. 21 Anyone who proves victorious I will allow to share my throne, just as I have myself overcome and have taken my seat with my Father on his throne. 22 Let anyone who can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” ‘

The language of “white robes” means: “bearing witness” to Jesus” in time of persecution. Both churches are subject, as the author is, to some kind of persecution, but neither has stood firm, in the opinion of the author. Both have become slack in their commitment, Laodicea more than Sardis, to be sure, but both are threatened with unanticipated visits from Jesus, like a thief in the night to Sardis, and an unexpected knocker-at-the-door in Laodicea. These visits may be in fact the arrival of danger in the form of public officials or other enemies. There will be no time for lengthy thought. Will their way of life have prepared them for this moment of visitation?

Churches who have never been persecuted should ask themselves how they would react to the terrible trials of the church in Iraq. Or do they say to themselves, “I am rich and have everything I want”?

Gospel, Lk 19:1-10

Zacchaeus

1 He entered Jericho and was going through the town 2 and suddenly a man whose name was Zacchaeus made his appearance; he was one of the senior tax collectors and a wealthy man. 3 He kept trying to see which Jesus was, but he was too short and could not see him for the crowd; 4 so he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus who was to pass that way. 5 When Jesus reached the spot he looked up and spoke to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down. Hurry, because I am to stay at your house today.’

6 And he hurried down and welcomed him joyfully. 7 They all complained when they saw what was happening. ‘He has gone to stay at a sinner’s house,’ they said.

8 But Zacchaeus stood his ground and said to the Lord, ‘Look, sir, I am going to give half my property to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody I will pay him back four times the amount.’ 9 And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham; 10 for the Son of man has come to seek out and save what was lost.’

Jesus offers God’s generosity and justice in equal measure. This man is real scum yet Jesus in God’s name reaches out to rescue him, offering him an advance of honour by being his guest. Zacchaeus is moved by this generosity to act with justice towards his victims. Seeing Z’s response, Jesus declares salvation. This story tells us about our salvation: it happens when God’s generosity turns us towards just living; and about our mission: nobody is ever beyond the pale.