"Lord! Lord!"

Gospel: Matthew 7: 21, 24-27

In ancient times when a conquering general entered a defeated city it was fairly common for a number of people to line the streets shouting "Lord, Lord" in an attempt to curry favor and obtain mercy from the new power.  Most generals showed no mercy.  The entire populace would be remanded into slavery or slaughtered, depending on the whim of the general that day.  After all, these people currying favor today were yesterday cursing your name and actively supporting the opposition against you.  

This is the context for Jesus' teaching in today's Gospel.  It is why not everyone who yells "Lord, Lord" will enter God's kingdom.  For just yesterday we were enemies of God's kingdom and rebels against God's rule.  But now today we curry favor with God.  We seek God's mercy.  But rather than condemn us all, Jesus instead issues amnesty and a test of our loyalty.  Will we carry out God's commands to love and extend mercy to others, or will we not? This will determine who is worthy of entry into the kingdom.

God has provided us with a tremendous gift in extending mercy to the entire human race.  Becoming conscious of that gift and responding to it are the keys to living up to the expectations of the gift.  Advent is a time for us to reflect deeply on this gift we have received and how we are to respond to it.  How will we show mercy and love for others in our daily life? To what ministry is God calling me in extending this gift of mercy to others in the world?