"But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a disciplinarian.
For through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus.
For all of you who were baptized into Christ
have clothed yourselves with Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek,
there is neither slave nor free person,
there is not male and female;
for you are all one in Christ Jesus." -Gal. 3:25-28
Saturday of the Twenty-seventh Week of Ordinary Time
As Christians, we are clothed in Christ, St. Paul tells us. He then lays out a long list of distinguishing characteristics and national divisions pointing out that before all else, we are all Christians. Being clothed in Christ first is a great honor, it is a great joy, it is a powerful feeling of mercy and it is a great responsibility. It is a great responsibility because we are His hands and feet, eyes and ears. When people see us, they should see Jesus, and we should try to make him look good!
I recently saw Fr. Larry Richards speak and he shared a story of an American POW during World War II who was imprisoned with a Japanese soldier who was caught trying to offer comfort to the Americans. The Japanese soldier was treated even worse than the Americans and whenever he was brought back bruised, battered and bloody, the American would help him to bind his wounds and share his rations with him. One night the Japanese soldier was brought back and beaten so badly that the American was certain he would not last the night. The American told him that he didn't have to be afraid because if he would give his life to Jesus, he would live forever. The Japanese man replied, "If this Jesus is anything like you, then I can't wait to meet him."
What do we look like when we are 'clothed in Christ'? Do we only wear it when it is fashionable or when we feel comfortable in it? Do we alter Christ to 'fit' us better? How does He look when people see us? If someone looked at you and saw you as the image of Jesus, would they say, "I can't wait to meet him!"?
God Bless,
P.D.O.
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