There are simply too many volunteers and not enough disciples! Too many in our churches, ministries, communities even families. Let us reflect a little on the latter first. For if we had disciples in the family will we not need to be reminded of our roles in the family? How to be obedient and give honour to our parents? How we need to serve one another with great love, the same love we have found in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ?
How about communities and ministries? Do we belong to one and are we there as disciples of Christ Jesus our Lord? Do we serve with and alongside one another in love? Are all doing our bit to build up His Kingdom by praying together, worshipping and praising Him as one? Do we affirm one another and help one another grow within our communities and ministries? Are we obedient to the leaders? And finally, how have we touched and brought all those outside of our communities and ministries closer to Jesus our Lord as His disciples?
What about Church? Do we even know who or what makes up the Church? Is it the building? The people? One or the other? Both? If we think we do know then what is our commitment to Church? How much do we love our Church? How are we showing that love? Do we participate fully with all our hearts and minds in growing the Church community? Or are our individual ministries and communities all that we are concerned about? Are we a ‘communion’ of volunteers or are we One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church? A Holy Communion of saints, disciples after the heart of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice; turn to the Lord and his strength; constantly seek his face. Amen Cf. Ps 104: 3-4
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First reading
Ephesians 6:1-9
Duties in domestic life
Children, be obedient to your parents in the Lord – that is your duty. The commandment that has a promise attached to it is: Honour your father and mother, and the promise is: and you will prosper and have a long life in the land. And parents, never drive your children to resentment but in bringing them up correct them and guide them as the Lord does.
Slaves, be obedient to the men who are called your masters in this world, with deep respect and sincere loyalty, as you are obedient to Christ: not only when you are under their eye, as if you had only to please men, but because you are slaves of Christ and wholeheartedly do the will of God. Work hard and willingly, but do it for the sake of the Lord and not for the sake of men. You can be sure that everyone, whether a slave or a free man, will be properly rewarded by the Lord for whatever work he has done well. And those of you who are employers, treat your slaves in the same spirit; do without threats, remembering that they and you have the same Master in heaven and he is not impressed by one person more than by another.
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Gospel
Luke 13:22-30
The last shall be first and the first last
Through towns and villages Jesus went teaching, making his way to Jerusalem. Someone said to him, ‘Sir, will there be only a few saved?’ He said to them, ‘Try your best to enter by the narrow door, because, I tell you, many will try to enter and will not succeed.
‘Once the master of the house has got up and locked the door, you may find yourself knocking on the door, saying, “Lord, open to us” but he will answer, “I do not know where you come from.” Then you will find yourself saying, “We once ate and drank in your company; you taught in our streets” but he will reply, “I do not know where you come from. Away from me, all you wicked men!”
‘Then there will be weeping and grinding of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves turned outside. And men from east and west, from north and south, will come to take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.
‘Yes, there are those now last who will be first, and those now first who will be last.’
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