Fellow Citizens

3 Jul

You are no longer strangers and sojourners,
but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones
and members of the household of God, 
built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.  (Eph 2:19-20)

Today is the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle.  The first reading, while very appropriate to the people of his day, is just as appropriate to our world today, especially the day before Independence Day.

The early Christians were being reminded of a very important fact: they were strangers no more.  They were made brothers and sisters through their baptism.  Children of God, they became responsible for one another.

What works in theory does not always work in fact.

We are brothers and sisters in the Lord.  Yet, there are many times and many ways that we seem to prove otherwise.

If we are brothers and sisters in the Lord, we must remember to build up one another, to come to the aid of one another, to offer support to one another, to patiently endure one another, and to defend one another.  To do anything else would be tantamount to rejecting our Lord.

Being a fellow citizen means that we must look outward rather than inward.  We must see and attend to the needs of all.

FAITH ACTION:  In your prayer today, remember those who are in need.  Pray that they may find assistance.  If you are in a position to do so, help someone in need today.