Today, the readings keep it ‘short and sweet’!

Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.

A reflection on the daily readings, for the Feast of Sts. Simon and Jude, apostles, by Father Perry.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

“Short and Sweet,” the saying goes.

But in this case, might we perhaps add — and splendid, and glorious, and uplifting, and warm, and grace-filled; and encouraging, and hope-filled; and totally inspirational and spirit-filled!

Oh, you might say, this is an exaggeration. But ask yourself, what might those Ephesians be feeling as they read this letter, “You are no longer strangers and sojourners … but fellow citizens with the Holy Ones and members of the Household of God“?

Surely, a “weep with joy.”

And then the psalm takes off where the letter to the Ephesians left off, “The heavens declare the Glory of God.”

The joy is unmistakable; and God is everywhere, making that “God-presence” felt.

+ Then, connected with all that introduced it, comes the call of the Twelve by Jesus.

The mountaintop night of prayer finished in a profound mission experience of the “calling of those men.”

The fruit of a night of prayer results in an apostolic invitation — and the beginning of something very, very special.

The Christ — beginning a new age, a new time, a messianic moment, with the new Twelve, a new Jerusalem; and as some like to say, things would never be the same!

“Short and sweet,” these readings; and yet so much, much more.

And here we are, some 2,000 years later, as we, too, experience, “growing into a temple sacred in the Lord, being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”

And as so many like to say at a moment like this, “Let the church say amen!”

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