6th Sunday of Ordinary Time [C]

 


SIXTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [C]


Realtors will tell you that it’s all about “location, location, location.”  This would seem to be especially true if you happen to be a tree. Everything depends upon your location; the question of where it is that you’ve been planted. If you’re a tree trying to survive in a bed of dried lava, this amounts to a very serious disadvantage. Meanwhile, if you’re positioned by a running stream, then the disadvantage converts into an actual advantage (see Jer. 17:5-8). 


According to St. Paul, you will be gaining the ultimate advantage when you choose to accept Jesus into your life. And yet, you will notice that he’s making a distinction; he’s distinguishing between the complete Jesus and the incomplete Jesus. You’re doing yourself a favor when you make a decision for the complete Jesus: the Jesus who not only knows how to teach, but also knows how to redeem. The complete Jesus knows how to deliver a meaningful sermon (as we hear being presented in Luke 6:20-26). Furthermore, he knows how to rise from the dead; he knows how to transform the grave; and he knows how to unlock the gate of entry, that leads us onward into the Kingdom of Heaven (see 1st Cor. 15:12-23). 


Paul’s hope is that you will be bonded with the complete Jesus. Recognize that he’s more than just an impressive teacher. With Jesus, the benefits are multi-dimensional—or at least they have the potential to be multi-dimensional. Consider the example of Peter Parker: can he be described as a talented photographer? We’ll answer by saying “yes.”  If by chance you require the services of a competent photographer, Peter Parker can fulfill that role. That’s how he earns his living: he takes pictures for the local newspaper. For lack of a better term, we can refer to this as his “day job.” 


After hours, we get to see another side of Peter Parker. When he’s not in school or working for the newspaper, he dedicates himself to the occupation of superhero. He pushes back against crime by swinging into action as “The Amazing Spider Man.”  It’s basically his way of being multi-dimensional. He knows how to snap a picture, and he also knows how to perform a rescue. This represents a blessing for those who find themselves being threatened or being victimized. As Jesus would put it: Blest are you! You’re blessed because Peter Parker has chosen to go the extra mile. Meanwhile, “Woe to you” if Peter Parker ever decides to limit himself strictly to the world of photography. 


The “Woe” becomes even more pronounced if your Christ turns out to be a limited Christ, or a reduced Christ. Celebrate Christ in the way that St. Paul recommends. Treat yourself to the advantage of all advantages: commit yourself to the complete Christ. He can be so much more than just a wisdom figure or a gifted teacher. Blest will you be, if your Christ can be honored and acknowledged as the Multi-Dimensional Christ—the Christ who knows how to teach and also how to redeem!  

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