When the rubber hits the road

Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.

A reflection on the daily readings, for the Memorial of St. John Chrysostom, bishop and doctor of the church, by Father Perry.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

+ The big “if.”

Paul lays it on the line — if you were raised in Christ.

Oh, do not be fooled. Paul knows that they were raised in Christ. They know that they were raised in Christ; he is not pondering this or asking a question.

He is reminding them of the truth. He is reminding them of the great spiritual reality that is theirs, that is in them, that is among them, that has saved them.

Then, Jesus drives in his point.

Put to death, and put away all: “anger, fury, malice, slander, obscene language, lying. …”

He gets down to the nitty-gritty, and reminds them who and what they have become in Christ and calls them to faithfulness in Christ.

“Christ is all and in all.”

+ Similarly, in the Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples: “Blessed, blessed, blessed are you … who are poor, who are hungry, who are weeping, who are hated. …”

In that deep inner space within, where there is struggle and lack and want and need, Jesus promises that God will fill and care for and lift up and love them.

And those who are satisfied, self-reliant, and rich with and for themselves — woes will come their way.

“Things” wealth is not equal to spiritual wealth.

And Jesus, like Paul — or rather Paul, like Jesus — both knew this same truth.

And we can echo Paul’s words with confidence that “Christ is all and in all.”

Father Perry D. Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com.