MARKETPLACE CHRISTIANITY

SABBATH

One time during Mass, the priest asked his congregation, “What is the most important place in the Church?” “The altar,” one answer came, “because that is where the bread and wine are consecrated into the Body and Blood of Christ.” Another said, “The lectern, because that is where the Word is proclaimed and the homily is delivered.” After hearing other responses, the priest finally said, “Yes, the altar and the lectern are important but the most important part of the Church is the exit door.” A surprised silence followed. Then the priest continued, “The exit door is the most important because unless you live out what and who you have received in the Mass, everything will be in vain.” In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that “none of those who cry out, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” During that time, not everyone had access to the Scripture. The temple became the “official” place where people can call on the Lord and hear and read the Word of God. Jesus warns us against a religion where God only becomes Lord of our life in the temple, where God is glorified only inside and during worship done in Church. This is what I call a “Christianity of the sanctuary.” The Gospels do not picture Christ as always in the temple. You can actually count with your fingers the number of times Jesus was seen in the temple. Jesus did not come to inaugurate a Christianity of the sanctuary. He rather proposes a “marketplace Christianity.” This is why Jesus commissions us to be “salt of the earth and light of the world.” Commenting on the noticeable decline of Christians especially in Europe, Pope Benedict XVI commissioned them to be a “creative minority.” A minority that is powerful and effective as to effect a real transformation in society. The mission of the Church is not so much to put Christians in the Church but to put Christians outside of the Church. Fr. Joel O. Jason Reflection Question: Where do you feel more at home, in the sanctuary or in the marketplace? As Christians, we should feel at home in both. Lord Jesus, awaken in me a sense of mission and make me a joyful channel of Your blessing and grace. Amen. St. Natalia, pray for us.