How are we acting on the Word of God in our lives these days? We all know the joy of reading, sharing, and living God’s Word and ensuring it is acted upon. God’s word is a building block that guides our steps and helps us rejoice in our journey to God’s house.

Today’s readings remind us of the two households we are moving toward in that service to God’s word. We build our parish community, just like the temple formed again in the first reading. Oh, the hard work of building God’s temple and our parish, our Congregations of the Blessed Sacrament, and keeping the dream alive, pointing all our efforts to worshipping God.

We also build upon the foundation of others who have left us this faith and led us homeward to the house of the Lord. While not wanting to rush this journey, we know it is our ultimate destiny.

Regularly throughout the year, but especially at funerals, we hear and know that our ultimate journey is toward the banquet table in heaven. Christ reminds us that our relationships here on earth should not keep us from building up God’s family. In the New Testament, we hear in the epistles that we are living stones built into the Body of Christ.

Like the Hebrews, we are called to finish building something for God’s “worthy ship.” How will we build up our family, parish, and Congregation (i.e., sisters, brothers, deacons, Associates) by acting on God’s Word today? Let us go rejoicing this day, able and ready for the task.

Prayer:

Loving God, gatherer of the family! You deserve all worship and praise, and you call your people, built of living stones, to serve you in glory. Hear our prayers this day that we may trust in loving kindness and know that your Word calls us to a deeper relationship in the Body of Christ in service for the life of the world. Through Christ our Lord.