It is so very important for us – who have been baptized into the very life of Christ Jesus – to be as authentic, genuine and identifiably "Christian" as we can possibly be; otherwise, we are inauthentic, ungenuine and identifiably fraudulent in regards to our membership in him.
A true Christian thinks, speaks and acts LIKE CHRIST! not of his own power, but by the power of the Spirit dwelling within. Disharmony, disunity, alienation, unkindness, ill-treatment are not signs of membership in Christ's Mystical Body. These are things that we have control over; these are things that we must keep a watch over; these are things that we must correct as soon as we see them gone awry.
Jesus tells us in the gospel passage that the Old Law was and is still effectual: killing is wrong! But he takes it one step further and says that according to the New Law that he is introducing: the component parts of killing are wrong too; then anger that is involved, the jealousies that are involved, the rivalry that is involved; the dissensions that are involved.
Jesus wants to be truly kind and fair with one another; he wants us to treat each other as we would want to be treated; he wants us to be full and active members of his body, enjoying all of the spiritual benefits that comes with such membership! We can't do this well if there is any blockage in the "channels of charity!" Therefore, he says, and means - at any time at all: but especially when you prepare to come to worship: (when you prepare to come to Mass): if the channels between you and any others are not clean and clear: take care of this business first: be reconciled, so that your offering, your gift, your sacrifice will be acceptable once you get to Church – and you place your life on the paten to be offered and transformed into newness of life by the words of consecration!
When the channels are open, not only are our sacrifices acceptable, but our prayers have a better chance of being heard and responded to more quickly: as Elijah's prayer for rain was answered, in the first reading today. It rained very hard at his request; he must have been a very holy man!
We too are called to holiness, we too are called to be vital and effective members of Christ's Body – even before we receive him in Holy Communion, we too are called to be authentic, genuine and real human beings!
Lord, help us to be these things today – and let our praises please you this, and every day!
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