Tuesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
(Revelation 3:1-6.14-22; Luke 19:1-10)
Today’s first reading is part of the seven prophetic
messages Christ has for his followers in the Book of Revelation. The harsh language is not meant to condemn
but to correct and convert Christians whose faith has begun to lag. The seven churches addressed in the messages
lie in the region surrounding Ephesus.
They represent the universal Church - seven being the symbol of
fullness.
The church at Sardis is given a mixed grade. Although a few people there have continued to
live as Christians doing good works and worshipping the Lord, others have
faltered. The church at Laodicea is said
to be “lukewarm” which means not good at all. The reference is a metaphor
comparing the quality of water in Laodicea to those of neighboring cities. It is neither hot like the medicinal hot
springs of Hierapolis nor cold like the pure water of Colossae.
Today we don’t accept threatening messages well. Some like to think that God, being
all-loving, would not condemn anyone.
Others, comparing themselves downwards with thieves and murderers, don’t
see themselves as doing badly. We forget
that Christ came to make us saints which requires our relentless cooperation.
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